Ayumi Shibata: Spiritual Meaning in Her Paper Art

 For those followers of my art blog, you know how fascinated I am of what artists can do with the most widely used material such as paper. Such an artist is Ayumi Shibata from Yokohama, Japan.

 

Shibata takes paper cutouts to another level. She creates dimensional paper art from pieces so small they can be held in the hand to pieces so large that they can include an adult person!

 

Her largest pieces can require over 100 pieces of paper. Her smallest pieces were made to fit inside of a glass vessels in a series she titled, "The Jar." Using lighting, the depth of the paper layers enhances the piece.

 

For Shibata, her works are an expression of "kami." In the Japanese language means "god," "spirit" and also "paper." With these spiritual inspirations in mind, she outlines the paper with a pencil before she begins to cut out the design freehand. As she stated:

"White paper expresses the yang, light and the process of cutting expresses the yin or shadow. I cut out works while imbuing my wish that we can coexist without forgetting our gratitude and awe for all things and nature that support our lives."

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Antiquity of Yoruba Sculptures

 

After seeing a finely sculpted head of Yoruba origin from between the 12th and 14th century, I realized that I needed to share some of the art history of African countries. Yoruba artists began making terra cotta clay using the lost-wax method as far back as 11th century!

 

 

The Yoruba Kingdoms of West Africa have a very long history as artists and crafts people. They are regarded as some of the most skilled in the use of leather, glass, bronze, weaving, ivory and wood. Their sculptural works are referred to as "restrained."

Figures were usually symmetrical and dignified - much like Egyptian sculptures. They were largely religious figures or leaders reflecting the scarification patterns practiced which indicates the tribe and beautification of the individual. 

 

 

 Between the 14th and 15th centuries, Yoruba artists took their clay sculptures to a new level when they began pouring their clay sculptures into bronze.

 

 

None of the ancient sculptures are signed by a particular artist as all artistry was attributed to the "orishas" or spiritual gods. One of them is Obatala. As Wikipedia quotes, " Today, it is customary for the Yoruba to wish pregnant women good luck with the greeting: May Obatala fashion for us a good work of art "

Alexandre Renoir: A Family Tree of Artists

 If the last name of Renoir sounds familiar, it's probably because Alexandre Renoir (1974-) is the great grandson of the famous Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. 

As with his illustrious relative, Alexandre is drawn to Impressionism done with brightly-colored impasto and touches of Surrealism.

Alexandre comes by his career as an artist very naturally. He was born into a lineage of creatives as well as contemporary artists such as Jean Renoir, film director; Pierre Renoir, actor; Claude Renoir, photography director and many others who carry on the family name in artistic endeavors.

He was born in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France. His family moved to Canada when he was four years old. It was in Canada where he studied art. 

Now, he makes his home both in Canada and in his hometown in France, which was his great grandfather's retreat and final resting place. This may be the proof that "the apple never falls far from the tree."

Arkhip Ivanovitch Kuindzhi: Artist of the Light

 It was in Paris at the d' Orsay Museum, that I first experienced Russian art of the period that museum covers (1848-1914) . It was paintings through a special traveling exhibit.

One painting in particular caught my attention. It was so beautifully luminous that I couldn't stop looking at it.  I had to write the name of the artist and the title of his work in my sketchbook/journal so I could find out more about him when I returned home.

The artist was Arkhip Ivanovitch Kuindzhi (1841-1910) also spelled Kouindji. Kuiniji, and, well, if you want to look him up just key in his first name. He was born in Mariupol, Ukraine. 

Orphaned as a six year old, he worked at a variety of menial jobs until his natural gift led to a job as a photo retoucher. He eventually went to St. Petersburg where he took some training, but remained largely self-trained.

 

 

Kuindzhi is recognized as a painter who sought and succeeded in transmitting "light's fullness and density." Below are a few more of his paintings showing his capture of light and mood. 

What's your opinion of his works? Have you ever heard of him?

Soon Y. Warren: Watercolorist Extraordinaire

 As I've commented before, it seems that water color artists are some of the most skilled painters. I've tried water color, but I like to change my mind as I paint. Water color requires a lot of advanced planning. 

The water colorists, whose works I've recently found to be awe-producing, is Soon Y. Warren. She was born in South Korea and migrated to the United States in 1987. By 1998, she had reached a level of perfection as to teach her medium to others.

Warren is in many collections, often receives top honors at exhibits, writes books on painting and teaches via videos.

For this blog, instead of a lot of bio, I'd prefer to let the art speak for itself. Enjoy!

In case I've given your the impression that her only subjects are still lives and flowers, here's a couple of others to show the scope of her subjects and talent.