Mistrz 2019

Lech Jankowski made this drawing, Mistrz, using graphite or charcoal on paper. The stark contrast between the dark background and the luminous white lines immediately grabs your attention. The medium of graphite or charcoal, often associated with preparatory sketches, here takes center stage as the final form. Look closely and you’ll see how the artist layered the medium to build up the image, using the inherent qualities of the material to create a sense of depth and ethereal quality. The controlled marks of the graphite or charcoal give shape to the subject, but they also evoke the repetitive actions, and the labor involved in producing the artwork. It bridges the gap between the realms of high art and the more grounded world of craft. Ultimately, this drawing shows that the choices of materials and process are vital in understanding the artwork.