Sadhu 2015

James Jean made this drawing, Sadhu, using a blue wash and a million tiny precise marks. I imagine he got into some kind of zone, following his intuition and letting the image slowly emerge. Just look at how much detail he's put into it, making this Sadhu seem caught between the earthly and otherworldly realms. I can almost feel him trying to find some deeper meaning! Maybe Jean was thinking about the nature of spirituality or the human condition when he made this work, inviting us to think about the same stuff. The monochromatic tone brings everything together, but also separates it out, like a blueprint or a dream. It reminds me of Hokusai's graphic line, but also, the kind of headspace you get in with Agnes Martin's grids. It's like Jean is having a conversation with all these artists, figuring stuff out together. The drawing shows us how artists build on each other's ideas across time. It's not about getting it "right," but being open to new ways of seeing and feeling.