A colleague and I have a running debate about whether or not drawing is art. Its sounds almost heretical, I know, but he always makes a good point. “Drawing,” he says, “is a process. It’s the means by which artists explore the possibilities of establishing space. As a tool it is no more art than a blueprint is a building.” Fair enough, but what about a work fully conceived and executed with graphite or charcoal on paper? Surely that’s a drawing? “No,” he replies, “it’s something else.” And around we go. This Friday Manifest Gallery in East Walnut Hills presents its seventh annual Selections from the International Drawing Annual. A small exhibition focused on the many permutations of contemporary drawing, it’s culled from a juried exhibition in print. It’s also one of my favorite shows of the year. Through May 18.
Manifest Gallery. 2727 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills. manifestgallery.org.