Memories of Food 1971

Kazuo Shiraga made this ink on paper work, titled ‘Memories of Food’. Shiraga was a member of the Gutai group, known for their radical approach to materials and process. You can see that emphasis here, in the earthy quality of the ink. Note the broad application of the pigment, which suggests a gestural, full-bodied process. While traditional calligraphy prizes the precise movement of the brush, this print seems to evoke the action of the artist, perhaps even using his whole body, rather than a brush, to apply the ink onto the paper. The title ‘Memories of Food’ encourages us to contemplate the cultural significance of food, its connection to memory, and perhaps even the communal act of sharing a meal. Shiraga’s process imbues the work with energy, grounding it in the realities of physical labor and communal experiences. In the end, this challenges conventional notions of high art, reminding us of the importance of materials, action, and social context in understanding the meaning of art.