Bit 1935 - 1942

Cornelius Christoffels made "Bit" with what looks like watercolor, and the mark-making is so thoughtful, almost tender. You can tell he’s really looking, and that for me is the essence of process: trying to see. The way he builds up the form with these gentle washes, it's not about flash, but about understanding the weight and texture of the object. See how the layering of color suggests depth and rust? There’s a spot there on the lower section where the chain meets the bit – a concentration of darks that really grounds the piece, and from there your eye is free to wander through the delicacy of the rest. It reminds me a little of some of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes, the way he could make humble, everyday objects feel so monumental, so full of feeling. There's a kind of quiet poetry here, a celebration of the ordinary, and that’s always worth a look, or two.