Mens en vogel 1985

Harrie Gerritz made this print, "Mens en vogel", using what looks like a woodblock, it’s all about process. I just love how the image hangs in the middle of this large piece of paper. There’s this tension between the rawness of the printing and the stark white space around it, a relationship between figure and ground. The marks aren't trying to trick you into thinking it's anything other than what it is: a print made with simple shapes, a person, a bird, the sun and the sea. It’s like Gerritz is saying, "Here it is, take it or leave it." Look at that bird, how it’s got this incredible energy, bursting off the paper. It reminds me of Joan Miró, that same playful spirit, not trying to be perfect, just letting the image come alive. Art is a conversation, and Gerritz is throwing his voice into the mix, raw, honest, and full of life.