Summer Geisha 1934

Torii Kotondo made this image of a Summer Geisha, and I’m thinking about the labor of women, as well as the labor of the artist who created the piece. Look at the way the pure blue background is printed - you can see the wood grain coming through from the printing process. The woman's face is perfectly serene, while her hair is pulled up so tight. She holds a fan, shielding her from the heat, and you can almost feel the weight of the kimono, the heat of the day, and the expectation to remain beautiful, dignified, and still. The image is of a highly stylized and symbolic culture; but it is a person, just trying to get through the day. I can’t help but think about all the women, including artists, who inspire me and whose labor allows me to create my own work, too.