Left Right 1980

This small drawing by Oleksandr Aksinin, made in 1980, is like a secret world built with a fine liner. The intricate network of marks, almost like lace, fills an oval. The density is incredible – you can almost feel Aksinin getting lost in the making. Down the centre is a zigzagging form that gives the image a kind of illusionary depth. It's all line, a careful balance of dark and light. See how the zigzags look like a staircase? At the bottom is this tiny, delicate figure – is it a person? A mannequin? It makes me think of the surreal stage sets of Oskar Schlemmer. Aksinin, who worked in Soviet Ukraine, reminds me of Paul Klee – that same dedication to a private world. The image opens up different readings each time I look at it. It’s like a puzzle, offering no fixed answers. And isn't that what art's all about?