Bodies of Water 1997

Joyce Kozloff made this maplike painting, 'Bodies of Water' with washes of pale colour and very fine pen lines. I imagine the artist working in a studio, perhaps with a large table covered in maps, charts, and anatomical drawings. It's fascinating how Kozloff combines the imagery of maps with these delicate representations of the human body. Look at the way she uses the colors, soft blues and yellows, like a faded memory of a place. The thinness of the paint allows the underlayers to peek through, creating depth and a sense of history. I love how Kozloff uses the lines, like veins or rivers, to connect the different elements of the painting. This kind of art is part of an ongoing conversation among artists, each building on the ideas and techniques of those who came before. It’s like a big, messy, inspiring studio where everyone is welcome to add their voice.