Untitled 2022

Here's an untitled drawing by Alevtyna Kakhidze, and the first thing that strikes me is the economy of line. It’s raw, like a thought caught mid-air and pinned down with ink. I can imagine Kakhidze with her pen, hovering above the paper, almost reluctant to commit, and yet, the lines flow with a certain grace. The figures, both carrying the weight of words, one almost literally, feel like they’ve emerged directly from the artist’s subconscious. What’s it like to be in that space of invention, caught between thought and form? This drawing reminds me of other artists who use the simplicity of line to convey complex emotions, like David Shrigley or William Kentridge. There's a kind of truth that emerges from this unadorned approach, a rawness that polished work often lacks. It’s as though Kakhidze is saying, “This is it, take it or leave it,” and that, in itself, is a powerful statement. We can feel her presence through the direct, unedited strokes.