Chrooslen=Ring=Koralle, Mäßer=Roosen=Kreutz und Gloken=Kreuz. Ottilia=Wald=Skt. Adolf=Ring; Riisen=Stadt 1921

Adolf Wölfli made this drawing, with its long title that begins "Chrooslen=Ring=Koralle," using colored pencils and graphite. What strikes me is how Wölfli embraces the process, layering and weaving together these dense, intricate patterns. It’s all about the doing, the making, the building up of this visual world. Look at the central circle. It’s like a mandala, full of tiny numbers, faces, and fragmented shapes. The colors are muted, almost earthy, with pops of red and blue that draw you in. You can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the page, meticulously filling every space. This feels like a conversation with Hilma af Klint, who also created complex, symbolic systems in her work. Both artists invite us to get lost in the details and find our own meaning within their visual language. Ultimately, this piece embraces ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations.