Watchdogs 2009

Pavlo Makov made "Watchdogs" on paper, I’m not sure when. The mark-making here is all about delicate precision; it's like each tiny line and dot is a little decision, carefully placed to build up this whole world. It reminds me of the way we build up a painting, layer by layer, thought by thought. The color is muted, almost monochromatic, giving the piece a timeless quality. You can almost feel the texture of the paper, aged and worn. Check out that central form, like a park or garden with the watchdogs at either end! Those little marks create such a powerful symbol, full of playful, dark humour. It's almost as if the artist is charting out the boundaries of our own minds. This piece makes me think of William Blake, another artist who combined intricate drawings with deep, philosophical ideas. But Makov brings a contemporary sensibility, a kind of wry awareness of the world we live in, turning something simple into a profound exploration of control, freedom, and what it means to be watched.