Untitled 2001

This untitled print by Jasper Johns is a real head-scratcher, in the best way. It's all done with these intricate lines, almost like he's mapping out a secret world with a ballpoint pen. Looking closely, you can see the texture of the plate coming through, especially in the areas where the lines are denser, more layered. There’s a real sense of process here, you can see how Johns built up the image bit by bit, like slow cooking. Take the swirling vortex up in the corner, its a real contrast to the flat opaque rectangle next to it. It's a total juxtaposition of chaos and order, like two sides of the same coin, or maybe just the same print. It's interesting to think about how this piece fits in with Johns' earlier work, those flags and targets, but here, he's gone all abstract and mysterious. He reminds me a little of Rauschenberg, always pushing the boundaries of what art can be. It’s all about embracing the unknown, the unfinished, the maybe.