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Lot Essay
In Atsushi Suwa's paintings, he engages with the realist tradition to pursue questions of existence, and life and death by unveiling the subject's innate spirituality beyond the materialistic surface. Suwa's scrutiny on his subject matter is reminiscent of Lucian Freud's vivid portraitures which penetrate the psychological examination on the intimate, yet isolated relationship between the artist and the model.
In Sleepers (Lot 596) the artist carefully captures the moment when the young girl falls into a deep sleep, seemingly unaware of the artist's presence. The creases of the bed sheet put emphasis on the smoothness of her skin, her youth and the purity of her soul. Suwa's exceptional depiction of the human form is achieved by his attentive interaction with the subjects, scrutinizing each body part with conscientious diligence, subsequently building an appreciation of his subjects which is reflected in his precise calculation of each depiction, unveiling his acute vision and comprehension of his figures as physical entities and psychological subjects. The minute detailing of her skin's texture and wispy black hair, which vividly juxtaposes with the stillness of the girl herself, conveys a live woman yet the cold undertones of her body suggests otherwise, as if she were straddling between life and death. She is eerie yet beautiful in her serenity, a fascinating mystery which the viewer desires to solve as Suwa blatantly accomplishes in the precise rendition of his subject.
There are multiple styles within realism, but ultimately, Suwa believes that through probing perception of his subjects, he can reveal an innermost truth unachieved in objective painting.
In Sleepers (Lot 596) the artist carefully captures the moment when the young girl falls into a deep sleep, seemingly unaware of the artist's presence. The creases of the bed sheet put emphasis on the smoothness of her skin, her youth and the purity of her soul. Suwa's exceptional depiction of the human form is achieved by his attentive interaction with the subjects, scrutinizing each body part with conscientious diligence, subsequently building an appreciation of his subjects which is reflected in his precise calculation of each depiction, unveiling his acute vision and comprehension of his figures as physical entities and psychological subjects. The minute detailing of her skin's texture and wispy black hair, which vividly juxtaposes with the stillness of the girl herself, conveys a live woman yet the cold undertones of her body suggests otherwise, as if she were straddling between life and death. She is eerie yet beautiful in her serenity, a fascinating mystery which the viewer desires to solve as Suwa blatantly accomplishes in the precise rendition of his subject.
There are multiple styles within realism, but ultimately, Suwa believes that through probing perception of his subjects, he can reveal an innermost truth unachieved in objective painting.