Mightier than the Sword, a focused exhibition that honors the elemental force of ink on paper. Bringing together Joseph Harkanson, Dave Yasenchak, and John Martin, the show celebrates drawing as both discipline and dare—where a single line can whisper, cut, or carry a story all its own. From meticulous crosshatching to bold, liquid gestures, these works revel in luminous blacks, razor-clean edges, and negative space that invites the eye to do the final editing.
“Pen and ink is the most democratic of tools and one of the most unforgiving,” said the curatorial team at Anno Artem. “These artists lean into that risk. Their drawings read like music you can see—the tempo of the hand, the breath between marks.”
More than a medium survey, Mightier than the Sword underscores ink’s role in culture—from manuscripts and political cartoons to tattoo flash and technical drafts—reminding us that some of history’s most potent ideas traveled first as drawings. The exhibition is designed for seasoned collectors and first-time visitors alike; no insider vocabulary required.
