Hurdlers 1929

Helen West Heller made this linocut print called "Hurdlers" sometime around 1929. The stark contrast between black and white gives the image a powerful, almost graphic quality. See how Heller uses these lines to create depth and movement. The eye is drawn to the muscular figures in mid-hurdle, but also to the abstract shapes and patterns that surround them. Look closely at the way the lines are carved. Some are thick and bold, others are thin and delicate, which makes a dynamic surface. Notice the detailed carving of the faces, full of emotion. This kind of bold mark making is what I love, it celebrates the materiality of art production, it's so clear that the work has been made by a person, by hand. I am reminded of Kathe Kollwitz's woodcuts, with their similar intensity and social awareness. Both artists embrace the imperfections and the expressive power of the medium, reminding us that art is always a conversation across time.