Alone 2012

Reza Rahimi Lasko made "Alone" with graphite on paper, and it's amazing how much emotion can be wrung from such a simple medium. The artist coaxes out a whole spectrum of greys, building up tone with what looks like very soft pencils. This is a process of accrual, where the image emerges slowly from the blankness of the paper. Look at the way the fabric drapes and folds, and the way the artist has carefully rendered each crease and shadow. The heavy cloak around the figure, the way it bunches at the base of the stool. It is so tactile you can almost feel the weight and texture of the material. Graphite can be surprisingly physical: Lasko lays down layers of dark, smudged pigment, rubbing and blending to create an incredible range of textures. The whole image is swathed in soft shadow, like a memory or a dream. This piece reminds me a bit of Käthe Kollwitz, who also explored themes of grief and isolation in her drawings and prints. Art is just one big conversation, after all.