Arbeider veegt de zwarte kliek weg 1905

Albert Hahn made this print called ‘Arbeider veegt de zwarte kliek weg’ with what looks like lithographic ink on paper; a monochrome palette punctuated by two strategically placed spots of red. The physical process of lithography involves drawing directly onto a stone or metal plate, a very direct and physical method of mark making. The marks in this print are really intriguing; the worker’s suit is created from hundreds of tiny speckles of ink. Look closely and you can see the direction of the marks follows the form of his body. The artist has created light and shadow with only a few shades of grey. The tiny figures at the bottom are far more gestural and lively, like scribbles. The broom is blurred, communicating movement and force. There's a raw, urgent quality to the work, like something produced quickly in response to an event. The graphic simplicity of the piece reminds me a little of Kathe Kollwitz. Both artists share an interest in depicting the lives of ordinary people in stark and unflinching ways. Ultimately art is always a conversation, with artists responding to the world around them and to each other.