Grand Master 1975

Jacob Kainen made "Grand Master" with crayon and ink, and it's all about how process becomes meaning. The colour is so subtle. It's built up from thin layers. This allows the paper to breathe through. Look at how the criss-crossed crayon marks create a textured ground, against which these bold, abstract shapes jostle for space. It's like a conversation between control and chaos, where the materials dictate the outcome as much as the artist's hand. The ink lines are nervous and fragile, like exposed nerves, adding a layer of playful tension. That scribble in the centre, with its awkward loops, feels so human. The whole composition has a kind of vulnerability. It makes me think of Cy Twombly's work, but with a quieter, more introspective energy. Ultimately, "Grand Master" reminds us that art is about embracing uncertainty and finding beauty in the imperfect.