“Stories Drawn in Sumi Ink”
I depict inner world landscape inspired by nature with instinctive rhythmical lines and patterns, something lie in my quiet depths. The hue of sumi ink embodies a myriad of nuanced expressions, and is a perfect medium for me to express beauty and power of spontaneity.
Various Stars sing in the night sky, clouds play with the wind, and rain drops from the heaven painting ripples on water. Animals such as foxes, cats, rabbits, and deer, long worshipped in Japan as divine messengers, appear in these monochrome landscapes that symbolize the reflection of subconscious.
They live as mediators between the inner world and the real world, guiding us to our ancient memories to realize the existence of something beyond sight. Through dialogue with them, I believe that I can connect more deeply with my soul.
“The Fox who Hunts for Stars”
– Story –
I met the fox in a dream.
The fox said, “in the world where I dwell, wishes turn into stars. I am always searching for stars, because I journey through this world as a messenger, delivering your stars to God.”
Along the journey, the fox hops on clouds, dives into the Milky Way, rests on the fragments of the moon, plays with wind and water. When he grows full of stars, he visits a cave where he falls into a deep sleep to carry stars to God.
I painted a series of works based on the original story ‘The Fox who Hunts for Stars.’ The story of the fox journeying through the inner world landscape was created based on my concept for the artwork.”
Text by Mikako Nakagami