Enso; Zen, Soul 2015

Takashi Murakami made this Enso with paint, but I'm mostly looking at how it was made. I mean, the red ground is smooth, but the black circle looks like it was sprayed on. I get a sense of immediacy and fluidity from the gesture. It’s as if I'm watching him make it, in real-time. The hand moves, the wrist flicks, and this black ring appears against a red background. I can imagine Murakami thinking about the Zen concept of enlightenment while making this. It's a simple form, but it has a huge impact; a single breath, an action, a moment of realization. Like, how can he make a brushstroke with paint? What action should he choose? Painting, for me, is about having a conversation with other artists. The way Murakami has engaged with the history of Zen mark-making is both fresh and ancient. His work is like a mirror reflecting his engagement with art-making and art history. It's an ongoing exchange, a way of feeling our way through life.