Scrap Iron c. 1935 - 1943

Herman Volz made this print, Scrap Iron, using lithography, which is like drawing with grease on a stone. The marks are dense and velvety, creating a world of grays. It’s a process that allows for a real sense of texture, even in a flat image. The composition is fascinating – a heap of what I take to be discarded machinery sits behind a wooden fence. A pipe lies in the foreground. See how the shapes on top of the fence are all curves and mechanical forms, while the fence itself is solid and blocky. These shapes almost remind me of an abstract painting, something by Leger, maybe. The contrast between the textures and the forms creates a sense of tension, like a still life about to burst into motion. And yet, in the left corner two figures stand reading the newspaper, their presence creating a strange feeling of calm amidst the industrial chaos. Volz’s approach reminds me of Stuart Davis, with a focus on making a kind of abstraction from everyday life. But while Davis’ work is colourful, Volz is working in a more muted palette. In the end, the piece is a study in contrasts: industry versus nature, order versus chaos, abstraction versus representation. And, like all good art, it leaves you with more questions than answers.