Verse of Africa

In August 2019, I spent ten days in Kenya and was captivated by the majesty of the landscape and the vibrant energy of the local people, their culture and everyday life in Africa. 

In my artwork, I drew inspiration from the traditional patterns passed down through various tribes in Africa. This became the basis for my continuous paintings centered around the theme of these traditional patterns. Each pattern carries prayers and hopes for everyday life, such as “May my family be healthy and happy.” I viewed their fluidity and transition, created by people’s hands, as a vivid poetry of life or an invocation.

Reflecting on my diary from that time, I remembered a profound moment of silence when I found myself at a loss for words. While passing through a village in Masai Mara, a little girl reached out her hand to me. We held hands and smiled at each other, filling my heart with deep emotion. In that moment, I was completely speechless and couldn’t give it a language. I struggled to convey the indescribable excitement I felt, ultimately immersing myself in the art of the ancient local people, following the traces of their expressions.

Mineral pigment, Dyed earth pigment, Paris white, soil on Japanese washi