Artist Ai Kumehara studied Japanese painting at Tama Art University and graduated with a master of fine arts degree.
Her unique approach entails the use of mineral pigments, for which color mixing is very challenging, as well as application of thin washi traditional Japanese paper sheets and colors alternately, resulting in hazy, somewhat indistinct sections in the finished image that seem to be appear as if shrouded in mist. This imparts a greater sense of depth to the color tones. Furthermore, this process of repeatedly overlapping colors and washi fuses both material types into one, giving them greater depth while cultivating a poetic feel in the uncolored white spaces. In recent years, Kumehara has collected wood refuse and other materials from the places where she resides and used them as media for depicting things she observes in gardens, giving viewers insight into her discoveries regarding our coexistence with Mother Nature.
For this exhibition, the artist is also showcasing works she created during her time living in Denmark. We hope you will witness for yourself that new stage in this artist’s development born amidst the natural environments of Northern Europe.