Ascension 1918

Eric Gill made this wood engraving, called ‘Ascension,’ with a knife, some wood and probably a good deal of patience. The intense contrast of the black lines against the white paper makes this image sing. I love the radiating lines above Christ. They suggest a divine light, sure, but they also create a physical sense of movement, like the air is humming with energy. The crowd below, shrouded in similar lines, creates a visual echo. This reminds me that art isn't just about what you see, but how you see it, it's a process of interpretation, and a dance between the artist and the viewer. I see a bit of German Expressionism in Gill's raw, graphic style. But also, something uniquely his own. In the end, every artwork is a conversation, a call and response across time.