Rocks and Sea 1958

Lee Chesney made this monochromatic print, Rocks and Sea, with dark ink on paper. Can’t you just feel how the waves might crash against solid forms, wearing them down over time, while also creating new shapes? Looking at this, I think Chesney probably spent a lot of time observing the sea. Maybe he was thinking about its raw energy, its rhythmic motion, or the contrast between the ephemeral nature of water and the steadfastness of rocks? The surface is rich with marks; some are short and choppy, while others are long and fluid, like the waves they depict. I wonder if Chesney knew the work of Gustave Courbet? He made some pretty amazing paintings of waves. Ultimately, artmaking is about seeing the world in your own way, responding to it, and transforming it through your medium. Chesney invites us to experience the ocean's beauty and power through his unique artistic vision. He reminds us of the ever-evolving dialogue among artists across generations.