Child's Pose, Dave Hysom, 2023, vine charcoal, 24 x 18 in. / 60.96 x 45.72 cm.

Dave Hysom's Yogic Charcoal Odes to Human Form

January 10, 2024 Gavin Coates

Dave Hysom's charcoal drawings are a powerful homage to the human form, capturing the essence of motion and stillness, tension and relaxation, within the simplicity of black and white.

Dave Hysom is an artist recognized for his charcoal drawings that skillfully capture the human form in motion, highlighting the beauty and discipline of yoga poses.

His 2023 series, featuring "Triangle Pose," "Child's Pose," and "Low Lunge," showcases his skill in translating the complexity of human anatomy into striking vine charcoal on paper.

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Triangle Pose, Dave Hysom, 2023, vine charcoal on paper, 24 x 18 in. / 60.96 x 45.72 cm.

"Triangle Pose" is a study in balance and concentration, as Hysom deftly captures the strain and stability inherent in this yoga position. The shadows and highlights rendered in vine charcoal suggest not just the physicality of the pose, but also the mental discipline it requires. The subject's upward reach and grounded foot convey a striving for transcendence.

Child's Pose, Dave Hysom, 2023, vine charcoal, 24 x 18 in. / 60.96 x 45.72 cm.

With "Child's Pose," there is a palpable sense of surrender and repose. The figure's curved back and folded arms envelop the face, creating a cocoon that speaks to the need for introspection and rest. Hysom's use of soft shading and stark contrasts amplifies the sense of retreat and self-protection this posture embodies.

Low Lunge, Dave Hysom, 2023, vine charcoal, 24 x 18 in. / 60.96 x 45.72 cm.

In "Low Lunge," the body's powerful forward motion is juxtaposed with the grounding of the limbs. Hysom captures this dynamic tension with adept chiaroscuro, highlighting the muscles' strain and the pose's potential energy. The drawing conveys the controlled power and expansive reach of the human body.

Dave Hysom's work is a testament to the eloquence of the human body and its capacity for expression through movement. His charcoal drawings invite viewers to contemplate the physicality of being and the beauty found in the discipline of yoga. Each piece is a silent narrative of the body's language, a dance of light and shadow that celebrates the form and function of human anatomy.

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Tree Pose, Dave Hysom, 2023, vine charcoal on paper, 24 x 18 in. / 60.96 x 45.72 cm.