Sleeping Woman 1938

Will Barnet created this drawing of a sleeping woman with ink on paper. I love the way the ink has been applied in such a fluid way, leaving space for the eye to fill in the details, but also, to see the process of its making. There is a kind of vulnerability, but also power, in the woman’s pose, and the way the artist has captured that liminal moment of unconsciousness. The bold strokes create depth and shadow, while the thinner lines add detail to her dress and shoes. Looking at the pillow I can see the ink bleed subtly into the paper, giving a softness and volume to the form. It's an economical and efficient study, which feels similar in spirit to some of David Hockney’s ink drawings. Art is so interesting, because it can capture a fleeting moment and make it eternal. It can also leave us with so many questions rather than any answers.