DON’T LOOK AT ME : UNSEEN ELEGANCE, 2010

by Ryoko Watanabe

Painting : oil 19.7 x 26.4 x 2 inch

$2,259

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About the artwork

Type

Unique work

Signature

Hand-signed by artist

Authenticity

Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the artist

Invoice from the gallery


Medium

Dimensions cm inch

19.7 x 26.4 x 2 inch Height x Width x Depth

Framing

Not framed


Tags

Portrait

Everyday life

Figurative

Costumes

Japan

Eyes

Faces

Yellow

Artwork sold in perfect condition

Artwork location: France

2010, Unique Artwork

Oil on Canvas

19 7/10 × 26 2/5 in – 50 × 67 cm

The artwork and signed by the Artist on verso of the canvas & stamped with the logo of the Studio of the Artist on verso of the canvas

serie “Serenity Amidst Shadows : Geishas in the Monochromatic Urban Ensemble”

In the evocative series titled “Serenity Amidst Shadows: Geishas in the Monochromatic Urban Ensemble,” Ryoko Watanabe invites viewers into a realm where tradition and modernity coalesce in a harmonious dance. Each canvas unfolds like a chapter in a silent narrative, capturing the essence of Japan’s rich cultural tapestry.

Watanabe’s fascination with the timeless grace of geishas becomes evident as these iconic figures take center stage in her monochromatic urban landscape. Against a backdrop of black and white, the geishas emerge as ethereal beings, draped in the elegance of tradition, their presence an ode to the enduring beauty of Japanese culture.

The urban ensemble painted by Watanabe serves not as a chaotic background but as a dynamic setting for the geishas. Crowds, rendered in shades of shadow and light, become part of the visual symphony—nameless faces moving in rhythm with the pulse of city life. The contrast of the black and white palette emphasizes the transcendence of the geishas, who exist as serene pillars of tradition in the midst of the bustling modernity.

In one canvas, a geisha gracefully navigates a crowded metro station, her timeless poise contrasting with the hurried commuters surrounding her. The play of light and shadow creates an atmosphere of contemplation, inviting the viewer to appreciate the serenity exuded by the geisha amidst the urban chaos.

Watanabe’s series is more than a collection of paintings; it’s a visual dialogue between past and present. Through her meticulous brushstrokes, she weaves a story of serenity and tradition surviving amid the shadows of modernity. The geishas, with their enigmatic allure, become timeless symbols of elegance, and the urban ensemble, a canvas upon which the beauty of Japan’s cultural heritage is painted with each delicate stroke.

“Serenity Amidst Shadows: Geishas in the Monochromatic Urban Ensemble” is an exploration of the delicate balance between tradition and the contemporary, a testament to Watanabe’s ability to capture the enduring spirit of Japan through the captivating allure of geishas gracefully navigating the monochromatic symphony of city life.

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About the seller

galerie jacob paulett • France

Artsper seller since 2014

Vetted Seller


Collector’s Guide

Imagine it at home

Ryoko Watanabe, DON’T LOOK AT ME : UNSEEN ELEGANCE
Ryoko Watanabe

Ryoko Watanabe

Japan  • 1973

Ryoko Watanabe is a Japanese artist born in 1973 in Sapporo, Japan.

He draws his inspiration from the cultural heritage of his region and from the power of Japanese stereotypes such as Sumotori, Geishas and Samourai Warriors. She exploits these subjects with talent and turns stereotypes to her advantage by exploiting their reputation in order to convey an artistic message. In the artist's work we can perceive a strong nostalgia and a desire to preserve the cultural heritage of Japan and its unique personages which are part of the country's history.

In her paintings she depicts subjects such as the culture of her country with a unique technique that combines ancient Japanese elements with those of modern life in Japan. What is more striking than her choice of subjects such as the Sumotoris or the Samourais is where she places these subjects. Instead of placing them in traditional arenas or castles, they are placed on crowded streets, buses or in subway stations in an attemp to create a humorous contrast. Her technique consists in always putting her subjects on the foreground and in color, even if the background is left black and white. This way she draws attention to them and places them at the center of the viewer's attention.

Since 2008, her work has been exhibited in numerous galleries all around the world.
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