Lot 1779: MAYA ISHII

MAYA ISHII
(B. 1978)
Tokyo Tower
signed 'MAYA ISHII' in English; titled in Japanese; dated '2009.8' (on the reverse)
acrylic and colour pencil on board
182 x 91 cm. (71 5/8 x 35 7/8 in.)
Painted in 2009

Contemporary Japanese artist Maya Ishii is adroit at capturing the kaleidoscopic changes of lights with her exquisite brushwork. The resulting atmosphere has always been one of tranquility and serenity. Apart from observing closing and precisely the natural world, Ishii draws her inspiration from different art forms such as The Beatles, Chopin, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince, and the photography of Elliott Erwitt. The shared dispositions of ethereality and vigor of these works provide enriching inspiration to Maya Ishii's creations. As a result, her works are infused with a sprightly yet melancholic impression.

Something Irreplaceable; & Restless Waves (Lot 1780) and Event on the Unforgettable Day; Eternal Light (Lot 1781) depict the moment when waves, having journeyed through the mighty, stormy ocean, approach the shore in the end. Maya Ishii does not opt to depict the distant ocean and instead focuses on the shallows, as if a man standing on the edge of the beach lowers his head to watch the lapping of waves from afar. At once the audience becomes this barefooted man; we look at the waves, and feel the coolness and freshness of the water as it caresses our feet. The varying tones of blue and white light bring into existence the brilliant sunshine as well as the refraction and reflection of the seawater. These intricate, multi-layered rays of light evoke a sense of warmth and comfort from deep within our hearts. The work of Ishii has this magical ability to lead the audience back to nature on a spiritual and sensorial manner, and imbue within us a new sense of awareness in our selves and existence. In Tokyo Tower (Lot 1779), a familiar landmark is depicted from a low angle. Human interaction is not the emphasis of Ishii; rather, it is the sensation one feels at a specific place and time that the artist strives to convey. Tokyo Tower is composed of a sharp, oblique line which is compositionally balanced by the freely gliding bird. The bird, architecture and men live harmoniously together under the same sky; but the tower built by man's technology and innovation, can never outreach the bird that instinctively soars high in the air. The work of Ishii impels us to replenish from our busy lives, to immerse ourselves in the peaceful sites of Tokyo and realize the insignificance of individuals against the vast world.