| Moving
silence. Evoking emotion
The soul tires of statements. It yearns to be moved. It needs silence, yet craves daring. Hiroko's art ignites the emotions with beauty simplified from nature, using the colors of the earth. It imbues art with the essence of a soul about to act, or captures the striking beauty of natural curves and lines in mineral pigment. The natural, caught by an extraordinary eye and transformed by a remarkable hand, guided by a determined and gifted spirit. Clean lines and mastery of the power of simplicity Reduction. Only by reducing the spirit of nature can we reveal the fullest beauty of inner essence. The spirit behind a natural act is transformed via clean lines and pigment into works that divulge. This art feeds the heart in a most uncommon way. The classic methods of Asian art include various devices for depth that Hiroko drops; creating a space and feeling for the beholder that stretches beyond the art into the imagination.
Nihonga as fine art Literally, Nihonga means Japanese painting. Many schools and individual styles have evolved over the millennium and half that Japanese painters began to work from Chinese examples. Traditionally, Nihonga are executed by attaching mineral pigments with heated organic matter to hand-made paper or silk. Today shortcuts abound because of ease of use. Artistically, they are wanting substitutes. Hiroko maintains the tradition, but goes further. This art form was traditionally intended to aid contemplation of the still and silent. Classic works of animals, for instance, rarely show action or intent. Hiroko's method brings a new dimension: natural intent; the will expressed. Folding screens have long been used by Japan's nobility as functional art, both indoors and outdoors. Byobu offer an aspect ratio and scale that can overwhelm smaller pictures. Yet they can be folded for storage or moving, and can stand free or hang. Layer upon layer of paper is laminated on wood and paper honeycomb. This same paper also spans the gap between panels as hinges. Whereas the quality of many screens has dropped as the market has shifted away from the nobility, Hiroko's screens are crafted to stand the test of time. Her screens measure up to 5'8" in height and 12' in width.
Traditional Japanese paper of the highest quality. Hiroko's paper is chosen for its special depth. It is also the sort that museums have found to last over 1000 years with proper care. Flowers Ikebana is more than design or arrangement of flowers. It is a highly developed art with deep spiritual roots. Hiroko's method is based on the Koryu school; literally, the ancient way. It carries the genius of tradition as well as the dimension of Hiroko's creativity. To this she adds the finest in vase design and flower hardware. Combined with screens, the arrangements create a three dimensional art space with a spirit all its own. Solids Bowls. Trays. The utensils of life. Given a new spirit with designs from Hiroko. Apprenticeship in the ancient traditions Japanese wood-design and woodwork is the basis. They carry the mark of Japanese tradition. But the timelessness is joined by the innovative. History
As a girl Hiroko won prizes for her paintings. As is traditional in Japan, they were taken by museums, never to be returned. While working for a large corporation to earn money for art college the president recognized her talents and urged her to hurry into full-time formal training. She chose the Musashino School of Art in Tokyo, majoring in oils. After much individual practice the limits of oil for spiritual expression became more evident -- starting her on a long series of apprenticeships in Japanese techniques. Rokuro wood turning. Hand painting fine silk kimono. Suiboku ink paintings. Only
in the most difficult, Nihonga and Koryu flower arrangement, could
Hiroko find the deep satisfaction she had sought throughout the many
apprenticeships. Today these disciplines form the core of her work
that draws on many art forms. The paintings demonstrate the mastery
of difficul techniques, combinined with a unique approach to the simplification
of natural interaction. The satisfaction for viewer and artist is
in the moving power of simplicity and theme. |
| Hiroko Seki Keller To purchase or have questions please contact: Phone 425-802-5008 Fax 425-391-8468
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