Collection

Blown by the heat of the roof, Grandfather’s head already seemed pale like a skull. Well, I’m not sure…do you remember what he said, when the red-hot iron was about to be put into his eyes? *

OKAZAKI, Kenjiro

2002

Information

Title
Blown by the heat of the roof, Grandfather’s head already seemed pale like a skull. Well, I’m not sure…do you remember what he said, when the red-hot iron was about to be put into his eyes? *
Artist
OKAZAKI, Kenjiro View artist Information
Year
2002
Collection
Purchased
Medium
acrylic on canvas
Size
180.0×130.0×5.0

Commentary

Take a long close look at these two pictures. Look, for example, at the form resembling a green number “7” in the center of the upper part of the works. There are identical elements like this in both paintings. Or look at the shape that recalls a pair of sewing scissors in the bottom left-hand corner of both works. Although the color, texture, and the division of the backgrounds differ, they both have the same basic shapes. By dividing up these elements in different ways, we gradually realize that both pictures have a nearly identical composition. The vigorous strokes are by no means a product of passion; they are the result of careful consideration. How about the titles? Despite relating two different stories, they share some of the same elements, such as fire, heat, and old people. They also share the same structure – they begin with narrative, continue with speech, and conclude with narrative. Thus, a relationship is formed between two similar but different elements in both the pictures and titles. In the end, the real experience of these paintings, with thick layers of lustrous paint and a strong sense of materiality, may only truly arise out of the movement (which, of course, is completely devoid of material qualities) of our eyes as they busily move back and forth between the two pictures and titles.

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