Oh, There Might Be a Slight Gap in Some Areas 1960

Herbert Lawrence Block created this drawing, titled "Oh, There Might Be a Slight Gap in Some Areas," using pencil and ink, a medium that lends itself well to satire. Here, we are confronted with a vast canyon stretching into the distance, rendered with brisk strokes that define its geological layers. The composition is dominated by horizontal lines suggesting depth and distance. The canyon's striated formations are stark, emphasizing the sheer scale of the geographical feature. Two figures stand at the precipice, one gesturing toward a sign marked "Administrative Performance." The dark lines contouring the figures and the signage contrast with the more lightly sketched canyon, highlighting the human element against the backdrop of nature's grandeur. The artwork uses its form to engage with ideas of inadequacy and oversight. The seemingly endless canyon becomes a metaphor, challenging fixed meanings and prompting ongoing interpretation of power, representation and responsibility.