Giraffe 1985

This is Tsuruko Yamazaki’s "Giraffe," painted with oil on canvas, and I imagine her layering vibrant color blocks to build up the animal's form. There's a playful dance here between abstraction and figuration, right? I picture Yamazaki, brush in hand, deciding where to let the giraffe emerge, and where to let the colors sing on their own. The paint looks thin, almost translucent, allowing each layer to peek through, creating depth. Those drippy white dots! I love how they disrupt the geometric structure, adding a touch of whimsy, almost like the giraffe is walking through a dream. You can see her process, her way of seeing. It reminds me of other painters who balance representation and abstraction, like maybe Francis Picabia, but with a uniquely Japanese Pop sensibility. Painting is always a conversation, an artist speaking to another across time. Yamazaki’s “Giraffe” is an invitation to see the world with fresh eyes and a playful spirit.