Strata #51 1997

Susan Schwalb created "Strata #51" using what looks like silverpoint on paper, and it’s all about lines, lines, lines. The silverpoint is so subtle, it’s like she’s whispering onto the page. These aren't loud, declarative marks, but quiet, meditative gestures. You can almost feel her hand moving slowly, deliberately across the surface. The lines are close together and create a beautiful gray tone, so that from a distance it almost appears to be a field of solid color. Up close, you get the sense of each line as something built. The texture is amazing. Look at how the light catches the metallic sheen of the silver, giving the piece a subtle glow. It reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin’s quiet grids, but with an added layer of shimmer. Schwalb’s piece embraces process, it’s a testament to the power of repetition and the beauty of simplicity.