Hawk 1963

Misch Kohn made this print, Hawk, with black ink on a light background. It feels like the ink was almost thrown at the paper in places, and maybe that was part of the process. I can imagine Kohn working intuitively, letting the ink drip and pool, and then coaxing it into the shape of a hawk. Look at how the lines cascade down the bird’s body, suggesting both feathers and a sense of dynamic energy. I think of Rauschenberg's combines, or the way Twombly would draw and write on his canvases. But Kohn simplifies the process into this image. The stark contrast and bold lines make it feel graphic and immediate, yet there is a depth and richness in the texture of the ink. You know, artists are always talking to each other across time, riffing off ideas and techniques. This piece captures that conversation, and it leaves space for us to join in. It reminds us that painting is more than just representation; it’s a way of thinking, feeling, and engaging with the world.