Karin 1976

Kazuo Shiraga made Karin with oil paint, and probably his hands or feet. The pale yellow background creates a soft, dreamlike haze that makes the textures pop. The central swirl is a vortex of creamy whites, reds, and pinks and there's this almost hypnotic quality to it that pulls you right into the center. I can really see the artist's process in the ridges and valleys of the paint. They're thick, like frosting and you can see how he worked the surface to create a feeling of depth and movement. It’s like a record spinning, capturing and throwing off energy. That one thick black streak cutting across the white feels like the needle coming down to earth. Shiraga reminds me a bit of Yves Klein, both guys pushing the boundaries of what painting could be. Shiraga definitely leaves us with more questions than answers, which is just how it should be.