Sabine D Region of the Moon, Lunar Orbiter Site II P-6 Southwest Mare Tranquilitatis 1972

Nancy Graves made this artwork, Sabine D Region of the Moon, with ink and graphite on paper. It looks like she’s mapped an area of the moon using Lunar Orbiter data. Imagine her, poring over photographs of the moon. She’s taken the cool, detached data and transformed it into a field of pinks, blues, greens, and purples. Look at those tiny dots. What a process! What a commitment to mark-making! I can imagine her hand cramping as she built up these delicate layers. The soft hues and repetitive marks create a meditative quality. It's like she's charting not just the moon's surface but also her own inner landscape. I see the influence of Agnes Martin in this work. Both artists share a similar interest in mapping, repetition, and the use of subtle color to create quiet, contemplative spaces. They remind us that the act of creation is an exploration of both inner and outer worlds.