MARK: Contemporary Drawing

Juror Statement by David Hicks

It was an honor to jury the 2026 MARK exhibition at Artlink Gallery!
I was extremely impressed and excited by the quality of the work and by the remarkable range of styles and approaches represented in the exhibition.

When evaluating the work, the aspect I considered most important was technical excellence in drawing. I believe drawing is the foundational language of artmaking, particularly in 2D work. As a drawing artist and teacher, I was especially attuned to entries that demonstrated a solid understanding of foundational drawing practices, even when those skills were subtly integrated into the finished artwork.

Second, I looked for work with a strong, clear, and distinctive creative voice. Whether it was a highly conceptual composition layered with meaning or a captivating and uniquely approached figurative work, it was deeply satisfying to encounter artists whose work felt both intentional and individual.

Finally, I considered the overall presence and impact of each piece as it would be experienced in the gallery. I looked closely at scale and media, while also considering the physical and conceptual investment required to execute each work. As a drawing artist myself, I know how much effort—and how many untold hours—can go into making a drawing. I was particularly impressed by the scale, ambition, and execution of many of the accepted works.

I was also excited by the breadth of approaches to drawing represented in this exhibition. Some artists continue to work with the figure, a timeless drawing practice, yet their styles, subject matter, and approaches make the work feel new and compelling. Others reframe enduring subjects such as landscape, still life, and interior space in ways that demonstrate an awareness of art history while remaining distinctly contemporary. Still others combine and layer multiple photographic sources to create new and unpredictable collaged compositions.

It was gratifying to experience the breadth and quality of this exhibition.
For me, it is a wonderful reminder that drawing continues to thrive as a vital and evolving contemporary art practice.

Congratulations to all the accepted artists on your remarkable drawing work!

Participating Artists

Isabella Aycock, Brandin Barón, Grace Benedict, John Calabrese, Bria Erby, Alexandra Sophia Franz, Jason Franz, Amanda Griffey, John Hrehov, John McKaig, Roudget Minnis, Brigid O’Kane, Kilaine Shelley, Michele Tilley

About the Juror

David Hicks is a contemporary figurative artist with an exclusive focus on drawing. Heavily influenced by the old masters, he strives for a classical approach to drawing each figure, yet with an aim for contemporary expression and subject matter. Hicks exhibits his drawings nationally, internationally, and regionally on a frequent basis. His work has been shown in multiple galleries across the US, and in India. Recent group exhibitions include Contemporary Art in Realism, 3rd International Juried Exhibition, at 3 Square Art Gallery in Fort Collins, Colorado, Lore Degenstein Gallery’s 16th Annual Figurative Art Exhibition in Selinsgrove, PA, and Mythography: An International Exhibit exploring Narrative at Manifest Gallery, Ohio. Hicks is currently Associate Professor of Drawing at Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio. His work can be viewed at www.davidhicksartist.com