"Slut" Lamp c. 1941

Jacob Lipkin made this drawing of a “Slut” Lamp, with graphite on paper. Look closely and you’ll see the density of marks he’s created, built up to describe this vessel. This approach to artmaking understands the process as a kind of accumulation, just like how meaning accumulates around an object over time. The texture Lipkin creates with his mark-making is fascinating; it almost feels like we could reach out and touch the rough, grainy surface of the lamp. The graphite is layered so carefully, creating subtle gradations of tone that give the lamp its volume and weight. Notice how the light catches the lip of the lamp, and how the shadows define its form. It reminds me of the drawings of Giorgio Morandi, who used a similar approach to transform everyday objects into monumental forms. Both artists share an interest in making the ordinary extraordinary through careful observation and meticulous mark-making. In art, as in life, it's not always about having the final answer but embracing the journey of discovery.