Manuel Krappinger 2019

Gazmend Freitag drew Manuel Krappinger with graphite on paper. Look at that playful energy of mark-making—all those scribbly lines bringing the man into being, one stroke at a time. You can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the page, testing and finding its way. I wonder what Freitag was thinking as he made this portrait? What did he see in Manuel’s face? The shading is so interesting, how it both defines and obscures. It reminds me of Lucian Freud. I love how a few dark smudges become a jacket, a few lines become cheekbones and hair. Ultimately, this drawing, with its raw and expressive energy, is part of an ongoing conversation among artists across time. It shows how we continually inspire and build upon each other’s creativity. Painting and drawing are all about embracing ambiguity, leaving space for multiple readings.