The Plain 1961

Jack Zajac made this print, The Plain, using a monochromatic palette and a mark-making process that feels both chaotic and controlled. It's the kind of piece that reminds me that art is as much about the journey as the destination. The texture here is everything, isn't it? The density of the ink creates a sense of depth, like you could fall right into that dark abyss. And then there's that figure, suspended, almost floating, offering a stark contrast to the granular field. The way Zajac uses the ink—sometimes heavy, sometimes sparse—gives the piece a visceral quality, like you can feel the weight of the ink on the paper. Notice how that small figure, so vulnerable and exposed, is surrounded by this overwhelming darkness. I think about Goya and his etchings. Ultimately, art is a conversation, and this print feels like a powerful statement in that ongoing dialogue. It's a reminder that ambiguity can be just as meaningful as clarity.