Stars and Disasters (Astres et Désastres) 1969

Pierre Alechinsky pulled this print, "Stars and Disasters," from a plate, or maybe a stone, and I can imagine him working with inks that were reluctant to stay put. Looking at it now, I can imagine Alechinsky hunched over the surface, coaxing those looping lines into being. See how they struggle to contain the inner world of that central shape, a kind of portal or vortex? There’s a sense of humor here, too, a playful dance between control and chaos. The colors, earthy yellows and greens, hint at something elemental, like a landscape viewed through a kaleidoscope. It reminds me a bit of other painters who weren't afraid to let their subconscious lead the way. Maybe he was thinking about them, too, as he made this image. Ultimately, "Stars and Disasters" feels like an invitation to embrace the unknown. To find beauty in the unexpected, and to trust the process, even when it feels like things are falling apart.