Studio corner with crack in the wall 1985

Editor: Here we have Avigdor Arikha’s “Studio corner with crack in the wall” from 1985, it appears to be a pastel or drawing. The image focuses on a section of wall, with a pipe and a visible crack. It’s interesting how such an ordinary subject is rendered with such intensity. What draws your attention when you look at this piece? Curator: The immediate sense of introspection is palpable. It is not just a rendering of a corner, but a reflection on time, memory, and the subtle decay inherent in all structures. The crack becomes a powerful symbol, a visual rupture representing vulnerability and the ephemeral nature of existence. Note how the artist chose to frame such mundane subject matter so deliberately. Does this choice lead you to consider what is hidden or unsaid within these walls? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, I was just reacting to its realism. The crack felt literal to me. What are your thoughts on the artist including a pipe? Curator: The pipe, seemingly utilitarian, gains significance in this context. It acts as a conduit, not only for water, perhaps, but also as a metaphor for the passage of time and experiences. Think about the history embedded within the walls: lives lived, stories unfolding. These inanimate objects become silent witnesses. Editor: That gives me a different perspective. I see how ordinary things, like pipes and cracks, can take on greater symbolic weight within a visual composition. Curator: Exactly! Arikha compels us to examine the subtle narratives embedded in our everyday environments. To recognize the stories in seemingly unremarkable corners. What do you make of that stark white edge? Editor: Now that you mention it, that sharp division of light almost looks hopeful amidst the decay. I appreciate how the conversation has shifted my understanding. What initially seemed like a simple depiction of a wall now speaks volumes about the passage of time and the hidden narratives within our surroundings.