This graphite work on paper is from 2015. Graceful and beautiful, the explosive nature of the large, liquid ink line in the centre of the work evokes natural forces which are unpredictable and often violent in their intensity. Kamen’s interest in mushroom clouds – the ultimate symbol of violence for our times – is also a reference to his love of Japan and his love of

humanity, and of peace. These works visually evoke Robert Motherwell, the youngest of the Abstract Expressionists, in the intensity of the gestures in black ink; and indeed Kamen’s work has great affinity with many artists from this school, which was so influential the development of abstract art in a post-war context. These works also have the sense of Kamen enjoying the challenge of using graphite in a new way and using the addition of water to stretch the medium to its limits. His endless explorations into how different forms of paper hold pigment and water is also very present here. This paper is the paper used to wrap the British national dish of Fish and Chips - Barry's favourite type of paper. Being very thin, it has almost no absorpancy, and warps and crinkles with the presence of water. These marks are very much part of the work.