Spool 1980

Oleksandr Aksinin made this Spool with ink, probably around the 1970’s; just look at that palette. It’s got a real handmade, almost obsessive quality, doesn't it? The entire surface is built up from tiny marks, a kind of pointillist, almost pixelated effect and an intricate level of detail. I can almost feel the artist’s hand as he built up this image, line by line, dot by dot. Look at the way the tiny marks build up the density of the spool, creating volume and depth with just ink. It’s the kind of process that feels almost meditative. I love how the simplicity of the subject contrasts with the complexity of the technique; reminds me of some of the stuff Hilma af Klint was doing. It’s a great example of how art isn’t about what you paint, but how you paint it.