Richard Hambleton, Sheadow Head 2015

Richard Hambleton made this Sheadow Head with ink on paper, and it looks like he really went for it, not holding back! Hambleton has gone in with real energy on this piece. I see the frantic, dense hatching over the head, which gives way to these dark drips at the base of the neck. You can see that the mark-making is really urgent, almost violent, in places. The ink is so dark it's almost black. And it’s funny because this head has a very recognisable profile – perhaps it is someone we know – but the overall effect of this piece is one of anonymity. It’s almost frightening to look at! I am reminded of Nancy Spero, another New York artist who also embraced the medium of ink on paper, and who also dealt with themes of violence, mortality, and the human condition. Art becomes a process of understanding and communication. It's about how we connect, converse, and keep the dialogue alive.