My last tribute to Man Ray was from 2014. For some reason I did not feel this series had come to a logic and satisfying end. Maybe it had something to do with testing my new roundism tricks on the Man Ray theme. Since 2014 I traveled a long way on my cubist path. The Birth of New Cubism series eventually evolved in my roundism style and that developement still is not finished. This is the result. It is a mixture of surrealism and roundism. Although the recognition of Lee Miller was secondary I was able to at least create some of her facial features. Surely they did not need more elaboration. Otherwise they would look out of balance with the flow of all other plains of black and white.
Speaking of balance, I tried to keep an equal division of light and dark throughout the graphite pencil drawing. This way I made the atmosphere look rather blurry which is conducive to the dreamy feel I had in mind. Some told me they associate it with art deco but I think the impression is a little bit too soft for that style. Perhaps it is sui generis after all.
Strange enough I started this drawing in a garage where I had to wait in the canteen for my car repair. No stranger industrial and greasy atmosphere could have evoked my intentions towards this drawing but it did nevertheless. Sometimes funny places can get the best out of you because the catch you off guard.
It is with a collector in New York nowadays where it should be. Man Ray started his carreer there.
Graphite pencil (Pentel 0.5 mm, 3B) on Canson Bristol paper (21 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm – A4 format)
Artist: Corné Akkers