First Stone 1962

Lee Bontecou made this drawing, First Stone, in 1962. Look closely, and you can see how she builds up the image with layers of graphite. The marks are almost like whispers, creating a sense of depth and mystery. For Bontecou, the act of artmaking was a process of exploration, a way of delving into the unknown. What I find fascinating is the way Bontecou uses the texture of the paper to her advantage. The graphite catches on the surface, creating a grainy effect that adds to the otherworldly feel of the piece. The density of marks varies across the surface; notice the cluster of marks to the lower left. The shapes are both organic and mechanical, like glimpses of strange machines or alien landscapes. Bontecou's work reminds me a little of Eva Hesse, in the way she combines industrial materials with a handmade sensibility. It's all about embracing ambiguity and finding beauty in the unexpected.