Simian Ecstasy 1933

This linocut, Simian Ecstasy, was made by Leon Underwood. Look at the way he commits to the mark making. See how each line has a purpose and carves out the subject of the artwork? I love how Underwood uses the contrast between black and white to create depth and texture. There is such a physicality in his approach. You can almost feel the artist’s hand as he carefully etches each line into the lino block. Check out the cross-hatching on the floor that is so reminiscent of woodcuts by Edvard Munch. Look at how this adds a sense of volume to the surface. It's as if you can reach out and touch the rough texture of the floor. This piece by Underwood reminds me of Paul Gauguin’s exploration of primitivism. In both artists’ work there's this pursuit of raw, unbridled expression. With its bold lines and stark contrast, Simian Ecstasy invites us to embrace ambiguity and challenge our perceptions of the world around us.