Drawings/ Special Edition

In an age defined by digital speed and hyper-saturated imagery, drawing remains one of the most direct and intimate expressions of the human mind. It is the first language of the visual artist — a whispered thought on paper, a gesture that captures a fleeting idea before it disappears. With just a line, a smudge, or a shadow, drawing allows the hand to speak directly to the world without mediation, bridging the space between the internal and the external, the imagined and the observed.

Volume 73 of our magazine is dedicated to celebrating the profound simplicity and complexity of drawing. Across centuries, drawing has been the foundation of visual storytelling and creative exploration, from prehistoric cave walls to Renaissance studies to the conceptual sketches of contemporary art. But today, drawing is more than a preparatory act — it is a fully realized, autonomous art form that reveals the pulse of its maker.

In this issue, we bring together international artists whose practices expand the definition of drawing in unexpected and thought-provoking ways. Their works traverse continents and cultures, yet all share a devotion to the hand-drawn mark — whether it appears as an intimate diary, a dynamic sketch of urban life, or an expansive abstraction that feels like a landscape of the mind. Each artwork carries its own rhythm, from the meditative repetition of graphite lines to the bold immediacy of ink and charcoal.

Accompanying these visuals are artist biographies and statements that allow readers to step into the worlds behind the marks. In personalized interviews, our artists share their processes, inspirations, and philosophies — the tactile rituals of holding a pencil or brush, the quiet moments of solitude where ideas surface, and the cultural or emotional landscapes that inform their work. Some speak of drawing as a daily meditation; others approach it as an act of resistance or an exploration of identity. Collectively, these narratives remind us that drawing is as much about presence as it is about image.

Through these pages, readers are invited to witness how a line becomes a voice. Drawings can murmur or shout, meander or strike with precision, but they always carry the fingerprints of thought. In presenting these diverse practices, our goal is to honor the universality of drawing — its ability to transcend language, geography, and time while remaining profoundly personal.

As you explore Volume 73, consider the quiet power of a single line. Perhaps it will remind you of the last time you picked up a pen and let your mind wander freely across a page. In the simplest of marks lies an entire world, waiting for connection.