Untitled 1972

James Rosati made this 'Untitled' drawing with what looks like graphite on paper in 1972. The composition is these rectangular forms, like wooden blocks almost, precariously balanced. You can see the texture of the graphite really clearly, especially in the darker areas; it's not blended, but built up with layers of tiny strokes, a real accumulation. And that makes me think about time. It is the time to build up the blocks. Look how Rosati uses shading to create a sense of depth, but also how the blocks sometimes flatten out, becoming more like shapes on a page. It's a push and pull between illusion and abstraction, a conversation that artists have been having for centuries. I'm reminded of some of Sol LeWitt's geometric structures. There is something so simple and yet so complex. Art, like life, is an ongoing experiment.