96 TOUCH COMMUNICATES
A PHYSICAL CONNECTION WITH THE ARTIST
Many artworks present traces of the physical touch of the artist in the form of brushstrokes, fingermarks, chisel marks, and so forth. The nature of the marks made by an artist establish a strong bond with the viewer and provide a conduit for expression. In looking at a painting, the viewer empathizes with the kind of stroke made and understands immediately whether it is firm, angry, tender, delicate, rough, strident, or forceful. Similarly, in certain kinds of sculpture, the touch of the artist is revealed as clay is pushed around or stone surfaces are carved and chiseled.
Usually the artist’s touch is a secondary feature of a work of art, something that is displayed while the artist ...
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