Meeting with Teppei Ikehira from his private exhibition ”今を灯して(Lighting up the present)” – Part III

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Sahoko

“I select what I purely want to paint. If I force myself to draw something I am unwilling, I would likely get bored. Forcing me is sometime not endurable.”

As Ikehira mentioned, his style is elastic. It flows to diversified directions with a various choice of motives, compositions and colours. It reflects his encounters in his life. Painting may be like his life itself.

Ikehira says that purchasing and hanging a piece of art is not the end of a journey for an appreciator, but is just a beginning.

Indeed, with versatile motives in his paintings, I have a new discovery, a new encounter and a new experience. It unnoticeably becomes a part of my memory and comes back with nostalgia. It is as if I am on a trip with a ticket handed by Ikehira in my hand and wondering where I am taken to. I certainly can’t wait to see it.

Meeting with U-die: a pleasure of discovery

Posted on August 5, 2018 by Sahoko

My first encounter with a work of U-die, a young Japanese artist and painter, was at Art fair Tokyo in March.
Two portraits fearuting Marilyn Monroe and Lady Diana were hang next each other.

At the first glance, I thought these are just another portraits of iconic faces of famous people that many artists have created by now, including the famous silkscreen by Andy Walhol. Then, my eyes gradually started recognising a very minute something filled in the painting. I walked closer to the painting and realized that the detail of the lines and colours composing the portrait is actually made by ‘manga’ look-like drawing. I still remember the pleasant surprise by saying aloud “WOW”.

I am going to write more about U-die in the next post. In the mean time, enjoy his great artwork and discovering what is hidden.

Marilyn u-die

Art Fair Tokyo: Browsing in the flood of arts

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Sahoko

Similar to the well-known art fair as Art Basel in Switzerland, there was an art fair in Tokyo organized from 20 to 22 March, where many galleries from all over Japan and some foreign galleries exhibited art works at Tokyo Kokusai Forum. It was unfortunately just over today.

Visiting an art fair is beneficial in many ways.

1. Knowing your state of mind:

Browsing from one gallery to another, you would realize what kind of art piece you are particularly attracted. The same artwork could be perceived differently by reflecting your current state of mind. Your favorite could be differed from time to time.

2. People watching:

Just watching the type of visitors and exhibitors is interesting, their demographics and the type of fashion, etc.

3. Discover the special art that belongs to you:

Art piece is often one and only existence. There are so many diversified work exhibited but you may find unique and special piece that exist for you only one within.

There were so many pieces that caught my eyes, but I note some of them here for my memorandum.

Tomoo Gokita’s work, no title:

I could spend hours in front of this piece. This is a college of photos and drawings. Just looking at each frame was fascinating. Tomoo Gokita’s self-portrait is hidden at the right bottom corner. I am sure we will find something new every day with this piece.