Red Circle on Black 1965

Jiro Yoshihara created this striking painting, Red Circle on Black, using oil on canvas. The reductive nature of this painting, a bold red circle against a stark black background, invites us to consider its place within the post-war Japanese art scene. Yoshihara was the leader of the Gutai Art Association, a radical and influential group formed in 1954 in response to the oppressive social and political climate following World War II. Gutai artists sought to break free from traditional artistic conventions, embracing experimentation and emphasizing the physicality of materials. The circle, a recurring motif in Yoshihara’s work, can be seen as a symbol of both wholeness and emptiness, reflecting the complex emotions of a nation grappling with its past and striving for renewal. To fully understand this work, we must consider the historical context: researching the Gutai movement, exploring the impact of the war on Japanese identity, and examining the institutional frameworks that supported and promoted avant-garde art. Only then can we appreciate the full significance of this seemingly simple image.