2018.6.15
I think the fascinating point of suiboku (ink wash) paintings is encouraging the dialog between the strong images in my mind and the spontaneous events arising from the sumi (black ink).
III. The breath of the moon
In this exhibition, for the first time I am showing a collection of paintings depicting the moon. Now I will talk about how they differ from my earlier paintings.
Previously, I painted on a sheet of sized paper on which dosa (a dilute mix of alum and glue) was applied. The dosa, when it is dry, makes a film on the paper surface, preventing any liquid permeating through to the depths of the paper; it is just like an irrigated rice paddy. On this surface, I was painting in such a way to allow the sumi to swim in the water. In contrast, the paper of my new paintings is pure kigami; it is unsized and receives no processing whatsoever.
Paper on the left is sized, and on the right is unsized.
It all started from my search for new paper. As an artist, usually I was so absorbed in what was happening in the moment that I did not really think much about the future or the physical state of my finished paintings. However, over time as I kept on painting, more opportunities arose; for example, some works were purchased, or some exhibited in art museums, and my paintings gradually flew my nest. As this was the case, I started thinking that one of my tasks was to search for more durable paper with excellent conservation properties; paper which would maintain its original condition for a longer period.