Capri Certosa 4 2008

Shozo Shimamoto created "Capri Certosa 4" using the unpredictable medium of splashed paint, resulting in a vibrant, chaotic composition. The eye is immediately drawn to the dynamic interplay of colors—explosions of blues, greens, reds and yellows scatter across the canvas, creating a visceral sense of energy and movement. Shimamoto was a key figure in the Gutai Art Association, a radical post-war Japanese art movement which challenged traditional artistic conventions. The Gutai artists explored new ways of engaging with materials, often emphasizing the creative act itself. In "Capri Certosa 4", the act of splattering paint embodies this ethos. The structural element of chance becomes paramount, liberating the artist from complete control and allowing the paint to dictate the form. This challenges the conventional idea of the artist as a sole creator, as the medium itself plays an active role. The artwork, therefore, isn't just an image but a record of a performative interaction between the artist, the paint, and the canvas.