Masanori Maeda
Born in Miyazaki Prefecture in 1964, Masanori Meada graduated as Head of Class, being distinguished by the Ataka Prize in Nihonga painting from the prestigious Tokyo University of the Arts.
His early works were figurative but while in search of his own pictural expression he has been drawn to abstraction and minimalism. Besides, he also found inspiration in a work called Pine Trees painted in the late 16th century by Tohaku Hasegawa. This work is seen as revolutionary especially for the use of minimal elements and for the deep atmosphere and meditative visual impact it creates; a minimalist aesthetic linked to the Japanese Zen philosophy.
Maeda is more specifically influenced by the conceptual idea of « Mu », commonly translated by « nothingness ». It is linked with the idea of good and bad, love and hate, creation and destruction, all found in human nature and representing extremes that must be eliminated to reach the state of Mu.
“The duality of life and death, if forgotten, can lead to another state of existence described as a realm serenity and quietness”, as the artist express when talking about his art. In a more recent work called Both forgotten / light the artist, while still going abstract, reintroduces landscapes with a dark see and an emerging sun in a cloudy atmosphere. This might be seen as the representation of a new day and by extension as a new hope. The artist also conveys the notion of time and space which are important notions in traditional Japanese art. He associates it with the post-war art movement “Mono-ha” that implies exploring materials and their respective properties as well as the encounter between natural and industrial.
Fusing traditions of Japanese Ink painting, pigments, and washi, known as Japanese paper, with unusual materials such as aluminium leaves and metal mud, Masanori creates distinct works within the abstraction movement. His creations combine bold brushwork with a lyrical delicacy.
Masanori’s paintings are structured around horizontal or vertical layered blocks of alternating colours. Involving constant negotiation between calm and vitality and a balance between light and shadows; plunging the viewer into an almost meditative state.
Masanori Maeda has exhibited worldwide at art fairs and in solo exhibitions. His artworks found their way into institutional collections in Japan such as the Ryumon Temple Collection and the Tokyo University of the Arts.
Selected works
AIFA - A. Iynedjian Fine Art Sarl
Rue de la Poste 6
1936 Verbier, Switzerland
Contact
Adrien Iynedjian, Director Switzerland
a@aifa.art / +41 79 834 23 47