Tree XIX (19) Print

Have sold more than hundred pieces to private collectors including corporations such as Welcia Japan and Netones Systems Inc. (JPX:TYO). Trained in the Japanese traditional painting known as “Nihonga”, which uses Sumi ink, brushwork and natural mineral pigments, the goal of my painting endeavor is twofold: to regain the dynamics, boldness, and humor of this style as seen in the works of Japanese grand masters such as Hokusai Katsushika or Jakuchu Ito; and to pioneer a new field by integrating modern motifs and techniques such as computer circuit boards, advertisement photos, and silkscreen printing. Currently I have two styles: LIFE series and MYTH series. LIFE series is a microcosmic/macrocosmic abstract series in which motifs are taken from various artificial and natural objects such as computer circuit boards, microscopic photos, reptile skins, or purely imaginary images. The first work in this series, “LIFE” (awarded Thesis Excellence Award, Musashino Art University), was done as a Byobu, the Japanese folding screen style, which imparts to it the presence of a semi-three-dimensional object rather than a flat painting. Silver leaf pasted on rice paper is oxidized to achieve an iridescent color. This work carries the image of a computer circuit board enlarged to 4.8 x 7.2 feet. This greenish, waterish piece can itself be seen as a giant organism — the complex lines connecting dots can be seen as a microorganism, an aerial photo of cities and highways, or charts representing various relationships. The English word “LIFE” was chosen as the title to embrace the multidimensional aspects this piece represents: life as a being or life form, life as a condition of existence, life as an organization of energy. The works in this series have been described as "the coexistence of paradise and hell." The theme of the series has been the uniting of opposites: pain and joy, old and new, or microcosmic and macro/cosmic. In other words, it is to capture “life”. My intention is for the viewer to simultaneously feel movement and calmness, sound and silence, and color and darkness.