Untitled [Incense burner decorated with kingfishers] 2006

This is Takegoshi Jun’s incense burner decorated with kingfishers; the artist is alive and working today. The kingfishers and branches wrap around all sides of the glossy porcelain. It's interesting how Takegoshi uses this yellowy green pigment to paint thin, almost diagrammatic branches. The whole thing feels light and airy, despite being a solid object. This reminds me of when I am working in my studio, and it takes me ages to loosen up and let the marks fall where they may. The artist uses delicate brushstrokes, but they are not too precious. Look at the kingfishers: bright cobalt blue, with a dash of red here and there, just thrown on with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what they are doing. The translucent quality of the colours gives the impression of watercolour. For me, this piece recalls the work of Henri Matisse, in that it seems so easy and free, yet we know that so much thought and process has gone into its creation.