In a single stroke 2012

Editor: We're looking at "In a single stroke" by Alfred Freddy Krupa, made in 2012 with ink on paper. The title is quite direct, I think – the whole thing looks like it was created in one fluid movement. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It is in the first instance, about the purity of line and the artist’s masterful control of his medium. Notice how the density of the ink varies, creating depth and dynamism within a single, unbroken form. What effect does this have on the viewer? Editor: I suppose the variation pulls you in – my eye keeps travelling along the line, noticing all the subtle changes in tone and weight. The way it curves and loops back on itself also makes it feel very balanced despite the apparent spontaneity. Curator: Precisely. This delicate equilibrium results from Krupa’s manipulation of form, irrespective of any representational aim. We are invited to consider line, texture, and composition first. Observe the rough quality of the paper; do you believe this has a purpose? Editor: Possibly to emphasise the intentional roughness or unfinished nature of the single brushstroke? Does the negative space surrounding the form play a role too? Curator: Indeed. The relationship between the drawn element and the void is as significant as the brushstroke itself. It gives weight to both the tangible and intangible, challenging the perception of positive and negative form, leading to a more profound experience of seeing. Editor: That’s fascinating! I never really thought about the interaction between the paper and the ink itself as an essential compositional element. Curator: And the formal elements often precede subject!