Woman (Study from Symbols) 1970

Benny Andrews made "Woman (Study from Symbols)" with ink on paper. I love how the simple, almost childlike, lines capture so much. It reminds us that art isn't always about perfection, but about the raw, unfiltered expression of an idea. It's like Andrews is thinking out loud with his pen, letting the lines flow as they may. The thing about ink drawings is that every mark is so visible. You can't really hide anything. The lines are confident and searching, capturing the essence of the figure. Take a look at the way he draws the hands. They're not perfect, but they have a real sense of weight and presence. And the face, with its slightly asymmetrical features, feels so human and full of character. Andrews' work makes me think of artists like Philip Guston, who also embraced a kind of rough, expressive style later in life. It’s a testament to the power of art to keep evolving, to keep asking questions, and to keep challenging our expectations. It reminds us that art, at its best, is a conversation, a dialogue between the artist and the world.