ARTIST STATEMENT
I am an international mixed-media artist whose work engenders respite and renewal from the chaos of daily life. My work is an exploration of interconnection between the ancient art of kintsugi, the spiritual world of chakras, and the emotional resonance of color. "Renewal" is a visual representation of the transformative power of embracing imperfections, the balance of energies within, and the vibrancy of the human experience.
The art of Kintsugi, rooted in Japanese tradition, is a practice of mending broken pottery with lacquer mixed with precious metals. Through this process, the once-flawed object becomes a work of art, each golden seam celebrating its history and resilience. I draw inspiration from kintsugi as a metaphor for the human journey. We, too, bear the scars of life's trials and tribulations. These scars, like the cracks in pottery, tell our unique stories and signify our strength.
For me, the concept of chakras, energy centers within our being, aligns beautifully with the idea of kintsugi. Just as kintsugi restores broken pottery, balancing and healing our chakras helps us mend the energy imbalances within us. Each chakra is represented by a distinct color, symbolizing a different aspect of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In "Alchemy of Renewal," I explore the harmonious relationship between these energy centers and their corresponding colors.
Color, a universal language that transcends words, plays a pivotal role in my artwork. The colors associated with chakras guide the visual narrative of transformation. Red symbolizes the root chakra, our foundation and stability. Orange represents the sacral chakra, where creativity and emotions flow. Yellow embodies the solar plexus chakra, signifying self-confidence and personal power. Green evokes the heart chakra, where love and compassion reside. Blue embodies the throat chakra, our center of communication and expression. Indigo represents the third eye chakra, our window to intuition and insight. Finally, violet and white symbolize the crown chakra, our connection to the divine and spiritual enlightenment.
Through intricate patterns of color, I convey the flow of energy within, as each chakra contributes to our holistic well-being. The artwork's composition mirrors the balance we strive to achieve in life—imperfect, yet beautiful in its entirety.
"Renewal" invites viewers to reflect on their own journey of healing, acceptance, and growth. It celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, the power of transformation, and the beauty that arises from embracing our imperfections. Just as kintsugi turns broken pottery into works of art, we, too, can find strength and beauty in our journey of healing, guided by the harmonious energies of our chakras and the vibrant palette of our emotions.
What needs repair does not need to define us. We can heal, regenerate, and evolve into improved versions of ourselves, with renewed strength and purpose
MATERIALS
I do not limit myself to select materials. Instead, I use whatever materials or media inspire me as I create my artwork. Substrates can include canvas, wood, paper and/or a combination of these and other textile materials. Much of my artwork includes some form of gold, silver and/or metal leaf. I also enjoy experimenting with other substrates, such as Tree Bark Paper and Papyrus.
As a tactile artist, I enjoy working with different textures and will often lay down the first few layers of media with my hands to create more intimate connections with my art. I enjoy feeling the paint between my fingers as I lay down colors on the substrate. At times, I will sandpaper layers of paint back to reveal the colors and/or patterns underneath.
I work with oil, acrylic, gouache, and watercolor paint mediums combined with gold, silver and other metal leaf, across western and Japanese brush strokes.
BIO
I moved to Japan in 2012 after retiring from my first career in healthcare. I trained extensively across all media, including sumi-e/Nihonga for 7 years between the Tokyo Campus of Temple’s Tyler School of Art and Professional/Studio workshops. I moved to Singapore in 2019 and continue my professional development wherever possible.
My works have been shown in national and international juried shows, including the Tokyo Tower Art Fair, the ION Orchard Gallery in Singapore, the Ueno No Mori Art Museum (Royal Art Museum) in Japan, the National Art Gallery in Tokyo, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno, the Intercontinental Hotel In Osaka and the ANA Crowne Plaza hotel in Kobe.
My artworks reside among private collections in the USA, Singapore, Japan, India, Hong Kong and Australia. Paintings have also been publicly displayed in the corporate offices of the German Centre – Singapore, the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, Metlife Japan, and Blue Bay Consulting in Tokyo.