Concert Grand c. 1929

Harold Emerson Keeler made this print called ‘Concert Grand’ sometime in the mid twentieth century, likely using lithography. The whole image is like a hazy memory, a dark grey world made with a soft touch. Look closely, and you’ll see the marks build up to create shadows, volume, and a sense of depth. It’s like Keeler is feeling his way through the image, letting the marks lead him. I keep returning to the shadows under the piano; there are so many layers of marks, built up slowly, and yet somehow they feel light. The whole piece has this quality, like a dark, murky dream that’s just on the edge of dissolving. This reminds me of the prints of Adja Yunkers, both artists are creating these abstract, surreal dreamscapes. Ultimately, both artists remind us that art is always a conversation, a back-and-forth between the artist, the materials, and the world around them.