Perforated Forms c. 1986s

Saul Steinberg created this work, "Perforated Forms," a drawing in ink and graphite on paper. Born in Romania, Steinberg's work often reflects themes of displacement and identity, shaped by his experiences as a Jewish émigré during World War II. The abstract composition might, at first glance, seem purely formal, but Steinberg's life experiences invite us to consider the ways in which abstraction can be a powerful tool for representing complex, and often, unnamable feelings. His aesthetic walks a tightrope, presenting something familiar yet deeply strange. Look at the labyrinthine lines and the recurring motif of the void; these elements could be interpreted as metaphors for the fractured sense of self that often accompanies the immigrant experience. I find myself wondering, in what ways do the linear pathways intersect with and diverge from traditional narratives of identity? With this piece, Steinberg seems to ask, how do we find coherence and meaning amidst fragmentation?