Umeko Okano
Interpretive Realms
July 31 - August 21, 2012
Reception:
Thursday August 2, 2012 6-8 PM
Press Release
Japanese artist Umeko Okano, who is now based in southwestern Turkey, likens her thickly applied oil paintings to travels and journeys, an analogy that holds true in multiple regards. Each piece marks a formal journey for the artist, who may spend months even on her smaller canvases, but it also reflects the travels that have shaped her life. Likewise, the imagery of her stylized figurative compositions, many of which border on the surreal, feature solitary figures in vast landscapes and isolated silhouettes on picturesque streets. These works speak of travel in the most literal sense — many street scenes evoke old Mediterranean towns built on steep hills while others feature winding roadways or boundless landscapes on the edge of nowhere — but also in the ways in which they engage viewers.
In Umeko Okano’s compositions, which she builds up with layers of oil pigments, subtle variations in texture and a superb command of light help guide the eyes over the canvas. Surprising figures and details emerge from these blooming natural vistas and dramatic cityscapes, like pleasant discoveries on a transformative journey.
Artist Statement
In life, I have found that every moment can become one filled with wonder which feels as though it might last forever. It might in fact disappear in a flash, but it leaves a lasting, unforgettable and vivid impression in our minds. The result is a sense of eternal relief and freedom. Everything in life is in a state of constant change. Life is like a journey, and we are continually experiencing something unfamiliar and eye-catching somewhere in the panorama in front of us. We are always given the chance to see new things rising up from the horizon. Painting is a different kind of journey, reflecting all of my inner steps through life. The important part is to unite these two difference journeys, so that inner existence and interaction with the external world come together to produce a work of art.
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