Shisen 1984

Kazuo Shiraga made this painting, Shisen, and the word that comes to mind is 'action'. The paint looks like it's been thrown, dripped, and smeared with complete disregard for traditional technique. It feels raw, like you’re witnessing the act of creation itself. Look at the surface. It's a battlefield of thick, luscious textures. Pools of crimson fight with streaks of pure white, all against a subtle, almost bruised purple background. I love how the white isn’t just sitting on top but seems to be fighting its way through the darker layers, creating these wild, unpredictable patterns. It makes me think of Pollock, but somehow more… violent, maybe? And those drips! They’re like little exclamation points that draw your eye from one area of the canvas to another. It reminds me that painting isn't about representation, it's about the pure, messy joy of transformation. It's about embracing the unpredictable.