Blad 52 uit Stamboek van de leerlingen der Koloniale School voor Meisjes en Vrouwen te 's-Gravenhage deel II (1930-1949) Possibly 1933 - 1939

This open book, from the Colonial School for Girls and Women in The Hague, was made some time between 1930-1949. What really grabs me is the range of marks—the different handwriting styles, the signatures, the typing, and most of all, the black and white photographs of the students. You can almost feel the texture of the paper, and see the different pressures applied by the pens and pencils. Some of the marks are really delicate and faded, others bold and decisive. There's one entry in particular, number 180, where someone named Judy Onderwater took leave and was possibly in a relationship in Sumatra. The handwriting is so expressive. It feels like a whole life is contained in those few lines. This piece reminds me of the work of Anne Truitt, who was similarly interested in the way simple forms and everyday materials could evoke complex emotions. Ultimately, it reminds us that art is about asking questions, not providing answers.