Yes! Beginning a new series.. a new country, a new journey, a new revelation.. a place where the culture and colours are the diametric opposite of vibrant Korea that I last painted.. a place that is uniquely. and sedately. zen.
This, my second visit to Japan after more than a decade, is when I came to understand and appreciate what I did not so many years ago, when I had been literally lost in the translation whilst backpacking in Hokkaido ;p
Hiking the Nakasendo Way (中山道) this time round, a 17th c highway from Kyoto to Edo (ancient Tokyo), I had a beautiful sojourn meandering the land encountering ancient post-towns, inns, teahouses, distance markers in li (里), shinto shrines, deities for protection of travellers, and many a poignant tale of the 劳师动众 (labourious) Princess entourage that travelled to marry the Shogun. Having come full circle on this land, I finally came to love it at last. Of course, having an English-speaking Japanese guide helps immensely :) Thanks! Mario Anton of WalkJapan.
So I came home armed with a thousand photos, and even more wonderful memories, and started to paint. I wasn't quite sure if I can do sedate, but zen, maybe. These 3 paintings are a start. Make what you will of them. They are nuggets, stories from the Nakasendo. And really, we did meet a lovely wedding couple. I knew then that I would paint the bride's stunning kimono gown :) Enjoy the pieces!
Title: Kyoto Dream 京都梦 (O105)
Description: Poignant impressionistic painting of a Japanese lady in pink kimono at the Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera Temple (清水寺), in dramatic yellow red surreal hues. Nakasendo Way 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Title: The Path 悟之路 (O106)
Description: Whimsical surreal painting in grey monastic tones, inspired by the red lamppost lit stone path, up to the Kumanokōtai Shr ine (熊野皇大神社) in Japan's Nagano Prefecture (长野县). Nakasendo Way 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Title: Japanese Wedding Couple 日本婚礼 (O104)
Description: Portrait painting of a young Japanese couple in traditional wedding wafuku (和服), with the bride in a resplendent red phoenix kimono, accompanied by a whimsical backdrop of purple umbrellas and Japanese lanterns. Nakasendo Way 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Purchase at: www.saatchiart.com/yen
On a cab ride in Jeju, a friendly uncle driver enthusiastically told me that the island is known for 3 things: rocks, wind.. and after struggling with the korean-to-english translation app on his iphone.. women.
He meant the famous haenyo - sea women divers who fight against the wild waves for a catch. In the old days, many men in Jeju were lost at sea. They also had to pay heavy taxes, so the diving trade eventually passed over to the women who became the main breadwinner. A declining trade today, with tourism contributing to most job opportunities, the haenyo declined in numbers. With an average age of 65, the iconic ladies continued to dive into depths of 20-30 metres with no oxygen tank, whether for a catch, often singing a poignant song. or sadly, to the throes of tourists and flashing cameras fighting to picture the amazing feat and the prize catch of an octopus or squid.
At a particularly touristy spot, I watched but could not bear to join the mob. Amidst the madness, a solemn expression of a haenyo catches, with faraway eyes that tell of a life past that I could not possibly imagine. I knew I would paint her, paint her story, paint the beautiful bright red shoe that she wore into the waters, paint the enigmatic person behind the matriarchal symbol that may one day pass into Jeju's colourful history..
Title: Haenyo 海女 (O95)
Description: A poignant depiction of the colourful Haenyo, sea women divers iconic in Jeju, Korea, who fight the wild waves for a catch in place of the men, who are today declining in numbers and a dying trade. Jeju Notes 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
The one thing that charmed me the most when I visited Shanghai was how the Shanghainese simply love dancing. Be it in a park or a shopping street, they are impeccably dressed to the nines to do the beautiful steps of ballroom dancing, or boogie to whatever nifty moves the music plays.
Being borne stiff, I have to admit that, I always admire people who can dance. And how I love the fashion sense and elegance of the Shangainese. More than any city in China, they emanate the sophistication of what it means to appreciate, and live, the finer points of life. Come what may. Cultural revolution or not. The tenacity to keep the Shanghainese spirit - be it in the old buildings, the culinary, the culture, or the language - and an almost hard to miss innate disdain for uncouthness, the Shanghainese are just unique :)
While I am not a fan of the city's pollution, or the ultra-outlandish modern buildings which give new meaning to Humongous, I came to love the city for its very intact soul. And the old architecture, especially the old world charms of the iconic Shanghai Bund, not the pretenders across the bay.
I knew I would paint the elegant gentlemen and ladies at the park. And the Bund. So this piece is my tribute to the Shanghainese spirit, epitomised in these twin faves of mine.
Title: Shanghai Dance 上海舞 (O90)
Description: A whimsical expressionist painting celebrating the elegant and indefatigable spirit of the Shanghainese, especially their love of dancing and the beautiful architecture at the Bund, both of which charmed the artist immensely. China 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas with sides painted orche.
Dimensions: 76 x 76 x 4cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
I missed seeing the Spanish flamenco dancers 13 years ago when I first visited Spain. Twas a funny tale on its own as my backpacking mate and I searched high and low for this out of the way bar famed for flamenco according to our 'gospel' guidebooks without knowing that it also means singing only. So we happily downed a couple when we found the elusive hideout and waited all night only to learn that we are already hearing the flamenco ;p
Well this time round to Spain, I made sure we also see the flamenco.. And what a sight! Words cannot quite describe our enthralment at the whole performance together with the vibrant singing (cante) and guitar playing (toque). The swirls, the stances, the atmosphere, the energy, all combine for a pulsating staccato act of rich drama and passion electrifying to the senses, and that must also epitomise the Spaniards.
My rendition is quieter and more abstract but no less passionate, seeking to explore the femininity and sensuous personality of the art form through line, shape and colour.
Title: Spanish Dancers I, II (SOLD); Spanish Dancer I, II (A34-37)
Description: A series of 4 little paintings inspired by the Spanish flamenco dance, exploring the femininity of the art form through line, shape and colour. Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: Each 30x 30cm.
2 comments (Spanish Dancers I):
sagarika sen said...
really really nice
stella marie capao said..
love the color
It has been a long time since I painted a portrait. I am seldom tempted as the face has to have a lot of character for me to be inspired. But when I stepped into this quaint little tapas pub on my Spain Camino trip, the traditional character of the place immediately struck me, and even more so when I caught sight of the fiesty chef-cum-owner in a whirl of activity entirely in his element.. I knew I would paint him.
But first I had to get his picture executing his fine art. It was no easy feat as he was aware and the movement simply heightened to a blur. I could only muster a couple of quick shots aimed at the overall pub setting so as not to be rude and hoped for the best. Blessed was I to get one clear shot below of the dignified master in action, which incidentally my guide has sent the picture to him.
When it came to painting, my expressionist tendencies and colour instincts took over but the essence of the character - a fine artisan in his element - must come through. In fact an artist remarked that the pose reminded him of a portrait of a certain young Rembrandt. Yes, indeed. No wonder I was attracted to this interesting character; he had reminded me of a master artist.. and my own vocation :)
Title: The Chef (O67)
Description: Spain Camino series. Expressive rendition of a tapas chef in his element, in a cool tapas pub as full of character as its animated owner. Tis a memorable encounter in old Leon on the artist's sojourn on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.
2 comments:
su f tan said...
Love the style of this painting!
doreen said..
your style has become more free, great work!
I was on an art trip to Siem Reap when I finally found time to climb to the top of the main temple complex where the architecture was really beautiful and the views fantastic. There I found this young Cambodian girl in a sarong sitting nonchalently, oblivious to the going-ons around her, not to mention the hoards of tourists. Unlike other children, she has a quality of enigma, dignity and air wise beyond her years. In another country, another place, in different circumstances, she could have been a blossoming star even.. 
There she sat twirling her kerchief, as if pondering her dreams and what could have been. Hence the title for this poignant piece.
Title: Dreams ~ Girl At Angkor Wat (O5)
Description: A young Cambodian girl at the Angkor Wat temple ruins, Siem Reap. 2007.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
SOLD.
Yes! Beginning a new series.. a new country, a new journey, a new revelation.. a place where the culture and colours are the diametric opposite of vibrant Korea that I last painted.. a place that is uniquely. and sedately. zen. 
