A Georgia Scene 1940

Robert Jackson’s print ‘A Georgia Scene’ is made with what looks like graphite on paper, and it’s all about the layering of marks to make a picture. There’s a real sense of depth in this print, created through the build up of dark and light tones. I love how Jackson uses the graphite almost sculpturally, pressing harder in some areas to create deep shadows, and then lifting off to let the light in. Look at the marks around the edges of the trees and the little shack in the middle. It's as if each tiny stroke is a piece of the puzzle, slowly forming a cohesive whole. The lines are smudged in places, giving a hazy, dreamlike feel to the scene, like a memory fading at the edges. This reminds me a bit of the work of Kathe Kollwitz, who was also interested in the lives of ordinary people. Both artists embrace ambiguity, leaving space for us to bring our own stories and feelings to the artwork.