Using chance in drawing

John Cage, Where R=Ryoanji: (R3), 1983; drypoint; 7 x 21 inches; published by Crown Point Press (image from here)

"To internalize chance in the making of work is to avoid traditional composition, relieving the artist of the process of decision making. What is ultimately at stake in the uses of chance is the artist’s subjectivity, as questions of intentionality, rationality, decision are virtually bypassed. Virtually bypassed, though, and not completely negated: the ‘production’ of chance in the work of art is guaranteed only by conditions established in advance by the artist." So said Pamela M Lee in the "Afterimage" book I used as a source text for one of the "over-writing" pieces.

The process artists she's talking about welcomed chance - influenced by John Cage, and harking back to the methods of Dada.

Another drawing project centred on chance, Chance Finds Us, is here. In 2011 eight artists with a similar artistic practice based in North East England came together in the project.

"Chance left free to act  falls into an order as well as a purpose," said Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Chance and Order Group VII, Drawing 6 (1971) by Kenneth Martin is held by the Tate