Constant Image 1960 - 1961

"Constant Image" is a work in ink by Jules Engel. Born in Hungary in 1915, Engel's life and work were deeply impacted by the tumultuous events of the 20th century, including immigration to the United States and wartime experiences. This piece strikes me as a visceral response to the idea of 'constant' in the face of such change. The explosive composition, with its dense, dark lines radiating outward, rejects traditional notions of stability. It's a world of shifting perspectives, not unlike the immigrant experience where identity is constantly negotiated. Look at the ways in which the ink splatters create a sense of uncontrolled energy, an emotional chaos that defies resolution. Engel, who embraced abstraction, seems to be asking us: what does it mean to hold onto an image, an idea, or even a self, when the world around us is in constant flux? In grappling with this question, the work embodies a powerful expression of resilience amidst the disruptions of modern life.