Detail 1931

This print, 'Detail,' by Serge Brignoni, is all about the magic that happens when you let the hand lead the way. The lines, etched into the plate, have a life of their own, like doodles that took on a wild, surreal existence. Brignoni’s world here is one of layered textures. Look how some areas are densely packed with lines, creating dark, almost brooding shadows, while others are barely there, just a whisper on the paper. Notice the figure towards the right, with those haunting eyes and hat-like head. The torso trails down into wispy lines which look almost root-like. It’s both there and not there, solid and ephemeral. It’s hard to say exactly what's going on, but that's the beauty of it. It reminds me of Paul Klee's playful approach to line and form. Both artists invite us to get lost in the maze of their imagination. The process itself becomes the story, and we're all invited to write our own ending.