O Goden 1966

Anton Heyboer made 'O Goden' with humble materials, ink and paint on paper. It is such an idiosyncratic system of mark-making. The color palette is muted except for a startling pillar of red and a fleshy circle. Look at the texture, the paper shining through, and the sense of air and light. The thin washes of color feel provisional. You can see the tools he used, smudges and drips, revealing his process. The red pillar almost looks like it was scraped into place. It's interesting to note that Heyboer lived in a commune with multiple wives and his drawings and prints often relate to his life. But I can't tell you what they mean because, like all good art, it stays enigmatic. His work reminds me a little of Cy Twombly, also interested in making marks on paper that speak to the body and the mind. Ultimately, Heyboer's work reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation.