Grave Marker c. 1938

Edward White made this drawing of a Grave Marker, we don't know exactly when, using graphite on paper. I love the process of building form with graphite, it's so immediate and tactile. Here, White uses these grey tones to create this image of the grave marker, there is a real sense of depth and volume. The details in the bird are incredible! Look at how White uses light and shadow to give the feathers dimension. The graphite is almost sculptural here. The texture of the paper also plays a big part. It gives the drawing a slightly rough, unfinished feel, which I think adds to its charm. I love the way the graphite catches on the tooth of the paper, creating these little flecks of light and shadow. It reminds me of some drawings by the sculptor Constantin Brancusi, where he used graphite to capture the essence of a form with a few simple lines. Ultimately, art is about embracing ambiguity and inviting multiple interpretations.