Self-Portrait with One Red Ear 

Jules Perahim made this self-portrait with graphite pencil and an accent of red ink. The marks are economical but deliberate, and the paper itself is allowed to breathe, creating a sense of immediacy. The choice of materials and techniques here reflects the broader social context in which Perahim was working. Pencil is an inexpensive, readily available material, and sketching is a quick, accessible way to capture an image. It is a medium of directness and self-reflection, but also a tool for documentation and communication that is far removed from, say, painting in oils. The single red ear gives the drawing its punch. Is it inflamed, or blushing? Does it suggest a heightened sensitivity, or the mark of shame? Whatever the reading, the contrast reminds us that even the simplest, most traditional artistic materials can be used to create a complex and compelling work of art.