Valentine c. 1937

Ernest Towers made this Valentine, using watercolour and graphite, on paper. The drawing feels like a process of working through - look at the rhythm of the repeated motifs: stars, eagles, plants, birds, and handwritten text, all arranged in a circular format. The colours are muted, yet hopeful, with each mark carefully considered. Towers renders each element with a gentle hand, giving the composition a sense of balance and harmony. Notice how the colours are thinly applied, allowing the texture of the paper to peek through. This contributes to a sense of lightness, the work feels delicate. The circular composition reminds me of the work of outsider artist, Adolf Wolfli, who was also interested in rhythm, repetition and balance. Both artists use their work to create their own internal world. Isn’t it amazing how art can be both deeply personal and universally relatable, all at once?