Woman (Study from Symbols) 1970

Benny Andrews made this drawing, Woman (Study from Symbols), with what looks like a dark pen, and maybe a bit of ink. It's all lines –– clean, simple, and yet so descriptive. I can imagine Andrews, maybe in his studio, quickly capturing the essence of this woman. There’s a directness here, an honesty. The figure is spare but carries weight, don't you think? You can see how the pen line moves, almost tentatively, feeling its way around the form. The way he defines her dress with just a few strokes, the suggestion of her hands. And the face! Those eyes, that mouth – they speak volumes, right? I think it could be his way of honoring her, her strength and presence in the most economical way possible. It makes me think about how we all see and understand the world around us, taking the simple and making it profound.