Renunciation 1950

Maybelle Stamper made this drawing, Renunciation, probably in 1950-51, using pencil on paper. It's all about line and tone, which for me, means it's all about the process. I can feel her hand moving as she builds up these intricate forms. There's so much to look at here, it's overwhelming in the best way. I’m drawn to the central shapes, maybe they are lotus leaves? They have a lovely subtle gradations of tone, a real contrast to the hard black shapes around them. The graininess gives it a kind of luminous, otherworldly quality. The more I look the more I am reminded of the work of Agnes Martin. Stamper's image isn't about showing us one clear thing, it's about opening up a space for contemplation. It embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the table.