Gulls in Šilo, Island Krk 1995

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this study of Gulls in Šilo on the Island Krk with ink on paper. Just look at those swooping, gestural marks; you can feel the artist’s hand moving quickly, trying to capture the essence of these birds. I imagine Krupa standing by the water’s edge, squinting in the bright sunlight, with a brush in hand, trying to distill the birds into a few essential lines. The ink is thin, almost watery, allowing it to flow freely across the surface. Notice how the lines vary in thickness, creating a sense of depth and volume, especially in the head of the large gull in the foreground. That single, continuous line that defines the curve of the gull’s neck is particularly evocative. It communicates so much with so little. It reminds me a little of some of the calligraphic marks of Franz Kline. These artists are all in conversation, taking note of each other’s marks and gestures, and pushing the boundaries of what painting can be. Ultimately, it's a study in seeing, feeling, and translating the world around us onto a flat surface.