Barber Shop 1940

Jacob Kainen’s ‘Barber Shop’ is a print, and it’s all about the push and pull of black and white, the dance of light and shadow. The artist is making marks, figuring it out as he goes. This isn't about perfection; it's about the process. Look at the way Kainen renders the bricks on the left – not precise, but full of energy. You can almost feel the grit of the charcoal, or whatever he used, as it moved across the page. Then there's the barber pole, that iconic symbol, rendered with these bold, swirling strokes. It's almost hypnotic, drawing you into the scene. Kainen reminds me a little of someone like Beckmann, finding the extraordinary in the everyday, but with his own distinct voice. And that's what art is, isn't it? A conversation, a dialogue across time, with each artist bringing their own unique perspective to the table.