But Who Tried Without Success
1986
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1986
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
But Who Tried Without Success is a 1986 by Simon Lewty, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This drawing weaves words and images into a single piece. Simon Lewty builds layers on paper, staining it, scraping lines, then adding thin, see-through layers. The result feels like a map of his mind—some parts clear, others vague. The title comes from a scrap of text hidden in the layers. It hints at half-remembered thoughts or dreams slipping away. Want to see more like this? Look up the artist Lewty, Simon.
The work titled *But Who Tried Without Success* by Simon Lewty from 1986 merges drawn elements with written text through a layered process of staining, incising, and tissue application. Its composition combines cryptic motifs resembling map symbols with fragments of handwritten phrases, creating a layered, intuitive narrative. The title is derived from a partial text fragment embedded within the drawing, evoking an incomplete or elusive thought. The overall effect resembles a cartographic representation of the artist’s subconscious.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Simon Lewty (1941-2021) was an English artist. Lewty used many different layers in his work and mixed text with picture. Some of his work was based on a map of Warwickshire - where he used to live - and he drew pictures…
See the richer artist page
