Eau Forte 1976

Pierre Alechinsky made this print called Eau Forte using etching, a process that gives the image a tactile, almost sculpted quality. The surface has this beautiful, mottled texture. Look closely, and you’ll see how the etched lines aren’t just marks, they have a physical presence, a tiny geography of ridges and valleys. It’s like the image is built up from a collection of fragments, each with its own story. There is this waterfall that seems to cascade from one realm to another, connecting different zones. Then to the right there is this red, circular shape, almost like a graffiti tag. This patchwork approach is also there in the work of Philip Guston, a big influence, who also loved this additive, fragmented way of building an image. Alechinsky reminds us that art doesn't need to give us all the answers; sometimes, it's more interesting to pose questions, to leave space for our own imaginations to wander.