Shitenno 

Kazuo Shiraga's "Shitenno" pulses with the energy of abstract forms, a dance of vibrant colors that evokes something deeper than mere representation. "Shitenno" references the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhist cosmology, guardians of the cardinal directions. Here, however, the representation is not literal. Instead, Shiraga seems to tap into the archetypal power these figures embody. The swirling strokes and layered hues remind one of the dynamic gestures of deities in tantric Buddhist art, such as wrathful deities whose vigorous movement symbolizes the quelling of ignorance. One can see how this evolves from the traditional, stylized figures of ancient murals to the raw, visceral expression on display here. Consider the psychological weight of these protectors. Perhaps Shiraga captures not just their image, but the very essence of protection, the subconscious need for order against chaos. The non-linear quality of the strokes is not about perfect representation, but a cyclical return to these archetypes in art and the human psyche.