Sakuhin 1964

Sadamasa Motonaga made this Sakuhin, or "artwork" with paint, and a playful spirit. Look at how the colors bleed and drip, creating these almost cartoon-like shapes on the canvas! The material quality here is fascinating; the paint isn't applied in a controlled manner, it's thin in places, allowing the whiteness of the canvas to shine through, and thick in others, creating a sense of depth. I find the drips and splatters around the edges of each form particularly interesting, which speak to the fluidity of the medium and the artist’s willingness to let the paint do its thing. Notice how a particular streak of yellow paint, running down the side of one of the forms, seems to defy gravity, adding a touch of whimsy to the composition. I see a connection between Motonaga’s willingness to embrace chance and artists like Joan Miró, who similarly allowed their subconscious to guide their hand. Like life, it is less about answers, and more about the ongoing conversation.