Graphic Sheet II 1958

Jirí Balcar made this print, Graphic Sheet II, sometime around 1958. It's all about the expressive potential of simple marks. Look at how Balcar uses etched lines to create a landscape of sorts. The texture is amazing – rough and delicate all at once. The lines are grouped into three distinct areas, giving the impression of stacked planes or receding space, like looking through different layers of undergrowth in a forest. It’s almost like a musical score; a rhythm of verticals, diagonals and loops. Notice the way some of the lines are dark and bold, while others are faint and whispery. It reminds me of Cy Twombly's work, especially his blackboard paintings. Both artists share a love for the gesture, trusting the hand to lead the eye on a dance across the surface. Ultimately, a piece like this reminds us that art isn’t about answers. It’s about the ongoing conversation and the questions we ask along the way.