Willem de Kooning drawing

Abstract

This major gathering of over 200 works from across the globe reveals how the act of drawing was foundational to de Kooning's entire artistic process and production ; his paintings, sculptures, and printmaking, as well as his drawings and showcases the totality of his graphic production, from his earliest existing works to his late calligraphic paintings. Ambiguity would become a distinguishing feature of de Kooning's practice, as his work increasingly dissolved the boundaries between representation and abstraction, male and female figures, “high” and “low” art forms, and, in particular, the disciplines of drawing and painting. He stated, “I draw in paint, and usually I don't feel so much difference between drawing and painting.” Compelled to continually innovate and surprise even himself, de Kooning began experimenting with unconventional drawing methods (such as working with his eyes closed), which opened up new directions for his art. He also often reused forms from his earlier artworks and adapted tools and techniques from his career as a commercial artist, resulting in a body of work that is both self-referential and inventive.