Tiger 1964
moritashiryu
abstract expressionism
abstract painting
japan
possibly oil pastel
oil painting
fluid art
neo expressionist
acrylic on canvas
underpainting
paint stroke
expressionist
Morita Shiryū’s 1964 *Tiger* is a striking example of abstract ink painting, also known as *suibokuga*. The artist, known for his bold, gestural style, creates a powerful image of the tiger by using a single, rich brown pigment on black paper. This minimalist approach, typical of Japanese ink painting, allows the viewer to focus on the energy and movement of the brushstrokes, suggesting the animal’s strength and agility. The work exemplifies the expressive qualities of ink and embodies the spirit of the tiger through its dynamic form.
Comments
The character tiger appears to morph into a tiger itself in this work. Instead of using a colored ink, Morita developed a technique in which he first wrote with an aluminum flake pigment mixed with PVA glue onto smooth black paper and then coated the written surface with lacquer. Morita was a proponent of “calligraphy without characters,” reducing writing to abstract forms that defy legibility. During the 1950s and 1960s, Morita actively communicated with European abstract artists and American abstract expressionists, acting as a bridge to promote calligraphic arts. In East Asia, tigers are considered auspicious and are one of the twelve zodiacs.虎Tiger
Join the conversation
Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.
CollectMore like this
