Three Plants 

Kazuo Nakamura created this painting, "Three Plants", using oil on canvas. Nakamura immigrated to Canada from Japan in 1948, after the end of the Second World War, a time of significant cultural and social upheaval. His work, deeply influenced by his experiences as a Japanese immigrant, often explores themes of identity, belonging, and the search for harmony within a fragmented world. "Three Plants," exemplifies Nakamura's interest in the interplay between nature and structure, which creates a contemplative space that allows for reflection on the self and the world. Notice how the repeated forms of the potted plants evoke a sense of rhythm and order, yet the individuality of each plant challenges notions of uniformity, highlighting the beauty found in divergence. The use of cool blues and greens enhances the work’s serene atmosphere. In his paintings, Nakamura sought to reveal the underlying order of the universe, connecting his art to both personal experience and universal human emotions.