Untitled 1966

Eva Hesse, who died tragically young in 1970, made this piece from cord and wire. At first glance, they're simple materials, but look closer. The cord isn't just any cord, it's been carefully wrapped, giving it a specific texture and density. The wire, too, is manipulated, creating a sense of tension and fragility. What might appear as haphazard is, in fact, highly composed. Hesse's work is so powerful because she took materials that would normally be considered craft supplies and transformed them into profound statements. She engages with histories of textiles and handwork but also moves beyond them, finding new expressive possibilities. This piece blurs the lines between what we call "fine art" and other forms of making. The cord and wire become more than just materials. They are imbued with a sense of vulnerability, process, and the artist's own hand. It's a reminder that the most humble materials can be used to create powerful and moving works of art.