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Description
Enso Study 1*
Virginia Cohn Parkum, c. Unknown
In Enso Study 1, Virginia Cohn Parkum returns to the fundamental gesture …
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Enso Study 1*
Virginia Cohn Parkum, c. Unknown
In Enso Study 1, Virginia Cohn Parkum returns to the fundamental gesture at the heart of Zen brush practice: the single breath, the single movement, the single unrepeatable mark. The circular form is nearly complete, yet remains open — a characteristic that preserves the living tension between closure and continuation. This incompleteness is not a flaw but an essential aspect of the enso tradition, where the circle records a moment of awareness rather than a perfected shape.
The brushstroke reveals its own history. At the upper left, the ink sits dense and velvety, absorbing light into a deep matte black. As the stroke curves downward and around, the pressure subtly shifts; the brush lifts and accelerates, producing a thinner edge where the fibers separate and drag across the paper. Along the right arc, fine interior striations appear — delicate tracks where the brush hairs parted, allowing the white of the paper to shimmer through. These lines introduce luminosity within the darkness, transforming the stroke from a flat band into a dynamic field of movement and breath.
The lower termination is especially telling. Rather than tapering into invisibility, the stroke ends with a softened, slightly rounded edge, suggesting a pause rather than a decisive finish — as if the motion stopped at the precise moment awareness returned to stillness.
Unlike Parkum’s more playful or figurative ensos, Enso Study 1 remains devoted to the discipline of mark-making itself. It invites close looking: the weight of the ink, the rhythm of pressure, the micro-variations that reveal the body in motion. The surrounding white space is not emptiness but presence — an active field that allows the gesture to resonate.
Here, the circle functions less as symbol than as evidence: a trace of breath, balance, and embodied attention captured in a single, irreversible act.
-Jonathan Flike
*The title of this work was assigned by Visard Gallery.
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- Dimensions
- 9ʺW × 0.1ʺD × 12ʺH
- Frame Type
- Unframed
- Period
- 1990s
- Country of Origin
- United States
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Pen and Ink
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Black
- Condition Notes
- Please note that this item is vintage and shows wear consistent with age, use, and history. Signs of wear may … morePlease note that this item is vintage and shows wear consistent with age, use, and history. Signs of wear may include, but are not limited to, minor surface marks, patina, fading, or imperfections typical of older items. All items are sold as-is, which is standard with vintage and pre-owned goods and cannot be returned on the basis of condition. Measurements are approximate. We do our best to describe items accurately; however, condition assessments are subjective. If you would like additional details, images, or clarification before purchasing, please contact us. less
Starting at 20% Off
Sale Ends July 6th, 2026 - Shop Now
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