next exhibition： Yasumasa MORIMURA "Seasons of Passion / A Requiem: Chapter One" current exhibition： Leiko IKEMURA    "Pacific"   Sep. 26, Tue., – Nov. 4, Sat., 2006 Closed on Mon., Sun. and National holidays Leiko Ikmemura    birdgirl  2006  oil on jute,  120x160cm The depiction of the human figure and the concern with figuration featured strongly in Leiko Ikemura’s work since the beginning of the 90s. Now it seems her focus shifted to another classical motive of art history: her new paintings are seascapes, and pacific at SHUGOARTS is the first show to present them on a larger scale. Horizontality is a main concern of those paintings. It creates indefinite space and a sense of remoteness, but without employing illusionarly tools. The horizon has always played an important part in Ikemura’s painting, giving the sole point – or rather line – of spatial orientation. Now, hazy outlines of warships stretch out on the depicted horizon. These ship-forms are a variation of Ikemura’s concern with the figurative. The horizon line itself seems to transform into ships or birds, it is a matter of open perception. Distant and blurred as those paintings are, they function as memories of Ikemura’s childhood in the postwar period Japan – to present them here is a consistent choice. Included in the show are also new paintings with female figures, but they are different than before: the image space is bright and the shapes are defined by drawn lines. The relation to Ikemura’s drawings is also visible in the strong dynamic and composition of the paintings. The main reference point of the whole show, however, is the sculpture Pino Pini. Out of three firm and stout legs, two busts develop, half melting into one another. Allusions to things grown – trees, animals, humans – arise, but there is nothing harmonic in this description of natural force. Rather, the essence of dramatic fight is depicted. The forceful, dominant pose of this merged creature is underlined by its rough surface, and it proudly presents its wounds and scars. Aggression, featuring only as a possibility in Ikemura’s seascapes, here is a prominent topic. Artist's Page Parallel to the show at SHUGOARTS, the solo show u mi no ko will be launched at The Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum in Mishima on September 23, 2006. The poetry book u mi no ko (2,300JPY) will be published by AKAAKA ART PUBLISHING, Inc. u mi no ko at The Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum September 23 – December 19, 2006 - showing mainly the mini retrospective sculptures Leiko Ikemura News 2006  NEWS! back to exhibitions Copyright 2003 SHUGOARTS. All rights reserved. contact: SHUGOARTS info@shugoarts.com SHUGOARTS website since2003 designed by Kaori Hoya, Created by Kaneko Osamu