Homongi Drawing

Dimensions - 25,5x23,5 cm (unframed) Drawing: Watercolor, felt pen, Pencil, collage. Paper - Folded, dyed as much as possible with vegetables or plants, tea, coffee or ink, watercolour and glued to get layers of papers 90% japanese papers (Washi, Gampi…) but also Lokta, cellulose fiber, some of papers are handmade by myself Mount - It is recommended to keep this piece float mounted when framing. Framing - This artwork is sold framed without glass. If you wanna change frame, please ask me. I am doing it in the most organic way possible. I am a french artist based in Paris but I am also painting for Japan every day and travelling around Japan every year for a month since 2011. I am touched by sense of detail in every thing or gesture. In May 2017, I started a new series, a link between my two worlds named Parigot (people born in Paris) Edokko (people born in Edo, Tokyo). This drawing is made on japanese papers folded, dyed, glued. On these layers of papers, I draw a shape. Then I fill with watercolour and collage. All small details are made by pencil or felt pen. These papers end up looking like a sewing pattern or even textiles. Over time I have come to realise that my stylistic development started with my maternal grandmother, a seamstress who made men's shirts, as well as from my paternal grandparents who sold fabrics at the market. Although my work is always rooted in good technique, I aim to create visual poetry in my pieces. For me, Art is about expressing feelings. Here is a homongi. It is given to the woman when she marries, to signify her womanhood has transcended into a married life. It is of a less colourful and attention-drawing than the kimono of unmarried women, but it can be worn by unmarried women too. Directly translated homongi means "visiting wear" and it was very popular among the upperclass women in the Meiji era to wear as a formal dress for going out. The homongi is the most ostentatious kimono for married women and the second most for unmarried women. Usually, the homongi kimono is worn to tea ceremonies and weddings.