Calligraphy of green beans 1981

Curator: This striking work, entitled "Calligraphy of green beans," is a linocut print made with ink on paper by Hubertine Heijermans in 1981. Editor: The dark beans command attention; they give off an arresting presence against the earth-toned ground. Curator: Indeed, the beans offer an interesting contrast in the piece. Its minimalistic approach speaks to a deep understanding of composition and the delicate balance between positive and negative space. Editor: And considering Heijerman’s involvement in feminist and anti-apartheid activism, one might wonder if this work speaks to themes of nourishment and sustainability in the face of larger socio-political struggles during that time. The green bean, so readily available yet culturally dismissed, takes center stage. Curator: An insightful proposition! But let's consider the purely formal aspects; the linocut medium results in sharp lines and bold forms. This emphasis, devoid of ornamentation, highlights the basic shapes of the bean—pure geometry in nature, captured here in modernist terms. Editor: I can agree with your reading of it playing with modernist structure, but still consider its grounding in social movements. Perhaps it speaks to our ability to find power and resistance in unexpected, unassuming objects? Curator: Fascinating. The beans against the beige ground certainly prompt such symbolic reading. Still, the interplay of textures, and the deliberate use of earthy tones, lead me to consider the visual impact first and foremost. It’s the structural tension that initially excites the eye. Editor: Precisely. And what makes this so thought-provoking is the tension, how it sparks dialogue across these levels of seeing. What is, on its surface, an ordinary domestic item invites reflections far beyond its surface. Curator: Ultimately, Heijermans masterfully shows how even humble subjects yield extraordinary potential in form, content, and meaning. Editor: Absolutely, and perhaps how we can all find beauty and resilience in what may seem basic and easily overlooked.