Untitled 1970

This woodblock print was created in 1970 by Ansei Uchima, and it speaks to the enduring human fascination with light and landscape. Note how the composition is split into three horizontal bars reminiscent of the triptych format common in medieval religious paintings. The glowing sunset or sunrise here is more than just a natural phenomenon, it is a symbol of hope and renewal that dates back to ancient civilizations. Consider depictions of the sun god Ra in Egyptian art, or Apollo driving his chariot across the sky in Greek mythology, archetypes which have been revived in later artistic movements, such as the Renaissance. In this print, the glowing light evokes a primal feeling of warmth and optimism. The light is contained within the shadows on either side of the frame, creating a sensation of tension and anticipation within the viewer. Like a phoenix rising, the light persists, forever recurring in the human psyche.