Pinokkio op het ziekbed 1979

Dirkje Kuik made this etching, ‘Pinokkio op het ziekbed’, without a date, and you can see how the image emerges from a network of dark, scratchy lines. It’s like she’s building the scene right in front of us through a delicate, deliberate process. The etching is all about texture. The dark lines create depth and shadow, giving the image a weighty feel despite its small size. Look at Pinocchio himself, lying in what I presume is his sickbed. The lines create a sense of his vulnerability, contrasted with the figures to the right, who seem to be looming over him, perhaps judging. I love how Kuik doesn’t hide the process; you can see every mark, every decision. Kuik’s work reminds me a bit of Paula Rego, another artist who wasn't afraid to explore the darker sides of childhood. Ultimately, this print is a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about asking questions and embracing the unresolved.