Bandontwerp 1888 - 1921

Theo Neuhuys made this ink and paper Bandontwerp design, and what strikes me first is its elegant simplicity, an almost casual precision. It's all about the line here. The thick and thin quality of the black ink creates a dynamic tension, and reminds me of the way Egon Schiele would use line in his drawings. See how the black lines confidently define the shapes, but then they also seem to float and dance on the page. They’re not just boundaries. Look at the top right hand corner, see how the intersections of lines create unexpected diamonds and curves? The eye can complete the image in multiple ways, like a conversation. This kind of drawing feels like a cousin to calligraphy, where the flow and rhythm of the hand is everything. It makes me think of Hilma af Klint's diagrammatic paintings, or even Agnes Martin's grids: different approaches, but all exploring the poetry of form and the beauty of simple marks. We are left with something that feels both intentional and open to interpretation.