So Certain I Was a Horse 1985

Betty Goodwin made this drawing, So Certain I Was a Horse, with pastel and graphite on vellum. The colours are subdued, but the mark-making is incredibly active, like the image is about to burst into life. I'm drawn to the almost ghostly figure, a pale form arching downwards. Look closely at the layers – the muted blues and greys of the background create a hazy atmosphere. The texture is soft, almost like skin, achieved through delicate pastel strokes and smudged graphite. The way the body is rendered, it's not about anatomical perfection, but about capturing a sense of vulnerability and movement. See that line trailing from the figures back? It is full of such tenderness. Goodwin's work often explores themes of identity and transformation. This piece reminds me of Marlene Dumas, who also has a way of using line and colour to evoke emotions that go beyond what is immediately visible. Both artists remind us that art is a conversation, an exchange of ideas across time. What the artwork signifies is ambiguous.