The big breast girl in the field of dandelions 2012

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this ink drawing, “The big breast girl in the field of dandelions,” with decisive, dripping marks and a subdued palette. I can imagine the artist at work—dipping, swirling, and blotting with an intuitive grace. The contrast between the figure and the abstract elements creates a compelling tension. The heavy lines defining the hair and the bold, circular shapes of the dandelions evoke a sense of whimsy. You can see in the breasts and the hair the materiality of the ink, its fluidity and tendency to drip—that's the key to its affect. It reminds me a little of Öyvind Fahlström’s playful approach to figuration, or maybe even some of Picasso’s more gestural drawings. But Krupa brings his own sensibility, blending vulnerability and strength. Artists are always conversing across time and space, and I love how this piece invites us to join in the dialogue.