Old Lady 1994

Maria Bozoky made this watercolour drawing, Old Lady, most likely sometime in the mid to late 20th century. The light washes of color and delicate line-work create a haunting image. It feels like Bozoky is figuring out how to represent the sitter in real time. You can almost see her thinking through the process as she works. The colors in the face are built up from thin, transparent layers, allowing the paper to glow through. Darker greys and blues define the figure's simple clothing. Look how the lines are not just outlines but seem to describe the very volume of the head. Notice the ear, so delicately rendered with a few quick strokes, a little spot of red for emphasis. It’s a real lesson in the power of simplicity. Bozoky trusts us to fill in the gaps, and it’s this collaboration between artist and viewer that makes the work so engaging. Bozoky reminds me of outsider artists like Madge Gill who also used simple marks to powerful effect. Like Gill, Bozoky embraces the beauty of imperfection and makes art that feels deeply personal and intuitive.