Page of Wands 2020

Zoe Hawk made "Page of Wands," sometime in the 20th century with paint. What is she doing with that sheet, and where is she going? The artist creates a curious scene, using color to set the tone: the cool blues and greens evoke a tranquil and contemplative mood. I feel like I have interrupted her mid-action! The paint seems thinly applied, allowing for smooth gradations of color and subtle tonal shifts that create form and volume. Imagine the artist's hand moving rhythmically, building up the layers of color, adjusting the values, and refining the details. But it is not hyper-real. There is something mysterious about her paintings: she is creating her own language, a kind of personal symbolism, which feels very intuitive. She reminds me of so many other painters: Balthus and Vilhelm Hammershøi come to mind, among others. Through the act of painting, they create their own languages in their own little worlds, allowing us all to come along for the ride.