Factory c. 1936

John P. Heins made this print, entitled Factory, sometime in the mid-twentieth century. The whole image is formed out of bold black and white shapes that feel simultaneously crisp and organic, like a carefully tended garden that’s allowed to go a little wild. I love how Heins used these graphic marks to render the textures in the scene: the ripples of the water, the blades of grass, the stonework on the building, all with such a simple, economical language. I especially like the roof of the main building in the image, each stroke meticulously placed to mimic the texture of shingles. It's a real testament to the power of focused observation and how much information we can convey with just a few well-chosen marks. This reminds me a little of Emil Nolde's woodcuts, in how both artists use the medium to create these stark, emotionally charged images. Art is always about finding new ways to see the world, and Heins certainly invites us to look at the industrial landscape with fresh eyes.