Untitled 1969

This untitled painting was made by Jiro Yoshihara using oil on canvas. I love how the simple palette of black and white becomes so dynamic. Looking closely, you can see Yoshihara's hand in the slight imperfections of the white circle. The paint isn't completely opaque; it varies in thickness, allowing the black beneath to subtly influence the tone, giving the form depth. There is a chunk seemingly taken out of the right side of the circle, and a bite taken out of the inside of the circle too. I wonder what this might mean. Yoshihara's work with the Gutai group was all about experimentation and freedom, a rejection of traditional art forms. This piece, with its directness and playful composition, feels like a really great example of that spirit. It reminds me a bit of some of Joan Miró's biomorphic forms, sharing that sense of playful simplicity, but with a uniquely Japanese sensibility.