The birch at the bank of the Mrežnica river 2013

Alfred Freddy Krupa made *The birch at the bank of the Mrežnica river* using ink and paper, and it's all about the energy of process. Look at how the black ink defines the birch's bare limbs against the pale ground. The stark contrast isn't just about what we see, but how we see. It's like Krupa is thinking out loud with his brush, leaving a trail of quick marks, scribbles, and stark contrasts. There's a real push and pull, a sense of layering thoughts and movements. See that thick, juicy glob of white near the base of the tree? It’s like a little explosion of light, bringing the whole scene alive with its bold simplicity. This piece reminds me a bit of Cy Twombly, in the way that both artists capture a sense of immediacy. It’s art as a raw, unfiltered conversation, full of questions rather than answers.