Sex Libris №4 B.Kyseliova 1976

This bookplate, made by Oleksandr Aksinin, is a tiny universe of surreal wonder. It’s a reminder that great art can come in small packages. I imagine Aksinin hunched over his plate, meticulously etching each line, lost in his world of symbols and figures. What does it mean? Well, maybe the question is: what does it feel like? There is something very raw and funny and dark about this image, an etching of bulbous shapes that could be anything, or nothing, really. This image speaks to the long tradition of artists riffing off each other, mashing up styles and ideas across time. It’s like a visual conversation, with Aksinin adding his own quirky voice to the mix. We’re reminded that art isn't about answers, it's about the questions we ask along the way.