Ryoko Kaneta
Mackerel sky, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
50 x 72.7 x 2.2 cm (M20)
Copyright The Artist
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In Mackerel Sky, Ryoko Kaneta presents an evocative and layered vision of the natural world, blending anthropomorphic storytelling with deeply rooted cultural symbolism. This enchanting work, characterized by Kaneta's signature...
In Mackerel Sky, Ryoko Kaneta presents an evocative and layered vision of the natural world, blending anthropomorphic storytelling with deeply rooted cultural symbolism. This enchanting work, characterized by Kaneta's signature ethereal palette and intricate detailing, depicts a monumental girl whose form seems to embody nature itself—her hair transforming into flowing clouds that ripple through the sky. This large figure is not merely a character; she is a personification of the forces that shape the earth, embodying mountains, oceans, and the very atmosphere.
Kaneta’s smaller figures, nestled within the swirling currents of her hair, are visual manifestations of intangible elements—memories, whispers of the atmosphere, and the spirit of place. These delicate, floating characters offer a poignant contrast to the commanding presence of the central figure, highlighting the layers and scales of nature's narrative: its vast, unyielding power and its intricate, unseen whispers.
Rooted in Japan’s long-standing tradition of viewing nature as divine, Kaneta channels a worldview where natural phenomena are revered as gods. This sense of awe permeates the artwork, capturing the spiritual essence of nature through the juxtaposition of immense and minute, visible and invisible. The title, Mackerel Sky, alludes to the fleeting beauty of a sky dappled with clouds, a momentary phenomenon that reflects the transient yet eternal cycles of the natural world.
Kaneta’s work is a visual poem about the interconnectedness of all things. By portraying characters of various sizes and attributes within a single composition, she tells a multifaceted story that defies singularity, inviting viewers to contemplate the passage of time, the vastness of the cosmos, and the intimacy of human memory. The serene color palette, with its delicate blues and soft pastels, evokes the calm yet dynamic rhythms of nature, creating an atmosphere that feels at once otherworldly and deeply familiar.
Through Mackerel Sky, Kaneta invites us to step into a realm where nature’s grandeur and its subtle intricacies coexist harmoniously. Her anthropomorphic approach bridges the tangible and the spiritual, offering a meditative exploration of existence that resonates with Japan’s indigenous traditions and the universal human desire to connect with forces greater than ourselves.
Kaneta’s smaller figures, nestled within the swirling currents of her hair, are visual manifestations of intangible elements—memories, whispers of the atmosphere, and the spirit of place. These delicate, floating characters offer a poignant contrast to the commanding presence of the central figure, highlighting the layers and scales of nature's narrative: its vast, unyielding power and its intricate, unseen whispers.
Rooted in Japan’s long-standing tradition of viewing nature as divine, Kaneta channels a worldview where natural phenomena are revered as gods. This sense of awe permeates the artwork, capturing the spiritual essence of nature through the juxtaposition of immense and minute, visible and invisible. The title, Mackerel Sky, alludes to the fleeting beauty of a sky dappled with clouds, a momentary phenomenon that reflects the transient yet eternal cycles of the natural world.
Kaneta’s work is a visual poem about the interconnectedness of all things. By portraying characters of various sizes and attributes within a single composition, she tells a multifaceted story that defies singularity, inviting viewers to contemplate the passage of time, the vastness of the cosmos, and the intimacy of human memory. The serene color palette, with its delicate blues and soft pastels, evokes the calm yet dynamic rhythms of nature, creating an atmosphere that feels at once otherworldly and deeply familiar.
Through Mackerel Sky, Kaneta invites us to step into a realm where nature’s grandeur and its subtle intricacies coexist harmoniously. Her anthropomorphic approach bridges the tangible and the spiritual, offering a meditative exploration of existence that resonates with Japan’s indigenous traditions and the universal human desire to connect with forces greater than ourselves.
