No. 2, Main Control Panel, Nerve Center of Ship 1944

Jacob Lawrence made this gouache on paper, No. 2, Main Control Panel, Nerve Center of Ship, at an unknown date. There’s something playful and schematic about Lawrence’s approach to his subject. It’s as if he’s inviting us to see the world as a series of interconnected systems. I love the way he reduces everything to simple shapes and colors, like those circles and dials against that deep chalkboard green. You can almost feel the grain of the paper through the thin washes of paint. Look closely and you'll see the texture created by the gouache, and the sketchy, uneven lines suggesting depth and dimension. The way Lawrence uses these elements really pulls you into the emotional core of the piece. Lawrence's work reminds me a little bit of Stuart Davis, both artists use bold, graphic forms to capture the energy of modern life. Both artists seem to understand that art is about opening up possibilities. It’s not about providing answers but about inviting questions.