Man en vrouw kaartend after 1

Curator: Here we have "Man en vrouw kaartend," or "Man and Woman Playing Cards," a drawing by Dick Ket, dating from after 1912. Editor: It looks so ephemeral! The quick strokes of the pen, the thin lines…and on newsprint, no less. It gives a sense of the fleeting moment. Curator: The choice of newsprint as a support is indeed crucial. Ket often used found materials, blurring the lines between high art and everyday life. This relates to the post-war scarcity of materials and the democratisation of art. Editor: It certainly undermines any sense of grandiosity. The fragility, the lack of pretense… it almost feels like we're looking at a private sketch from the artist’s sketchbook. The lines are quite simple, even crude in places, yet somehow capture the essence of the scene. The table laden with detail compared to the sitters, brings depth and layers. Curator: The technique also tells us a lot about the artist's process. The rapid lines and minimal shading suggest an interest in immediacy and spontaneity. And yes, placing these figures, who seem preoccupied, on ephemeral newsprint hints at broader questions regarding labour and even consumerism. Editor: I agree. There is something poignant about these figures, seemingly lost in their game, juxtaposed against the headlines of the day. Formally, it creates a beautiful contrast between the static figures and the dynamic, chaotic background of printed words. Curator: Ket also battled chronic illness his whole life. In some ways, the deliberate incorporation of this mundane media points to his restricted access to traditional, and arguably, privileged art making practices. Editor: Ultimately, the simplicity of the line, juxtaposed with the complex textures and meaning within the under-layer elevates the mundane. It compels viewers to linger. Curator: Indeed, viewing this in the context of resourcefulness in times of constraints provides an invaluable insight into the artist's environment and ethos. Editor: Agreed; thank you, it helps clarify so much when you provide those sorts of production details.