Untitled 1987

Steve Keister made this untitled charcoal drawing on paper in 1987. It’s so simple, just a few swooping lines, but it really sings! You can see the residue of the artist's hand, the way he layered the charcoal, light and dark, creating a sense of depth and movement. The lines aren't precious, they wiggle and stutter, like he's feeling his way around the page. I love how the main loop hovers and intersects. Look at the way the darkest part of the charcoal anchors that line, pulling it forward. It’s like watching someone think on paper, erasing and redrawing. It reminds me of Cy Twombly’s playful scribbles, that same looseness, that willingness to let the line wander. Both artists show us that art doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful. It can be a sketch, a gesture, an open-ended question.