Aoki Satoko - The Beast Within Emotions - Sumas H530×W455×D64mm

persona series
2023
Mixed media
Acrylic paint, pigments, resin, canvas


This work depicts a beast with a black head and white body nestled against rounded, bluish-gray or purplish, lump-like forms on the right side of the canvas, set against a background that graduates from a vibrant yellow at the top to a pale mint green at the bottom. In contrast to the dynamic sense of speed in "Hashiru," the beast in this work is motionless, adopting a static pose as if resting on or leaning against something, with a small silver sphere placed at its snout.

Innumerable white lines and splatters emanating from the bottom left of the canvas appear not so much to be discharged from the beast itself, but rather to drift like the air or atmosphere filling the entire canvas, and the beast seems to quietly absorb this flow. The rounded blue and lavender colored masses have ambiguous forms, like clouds, bubbles, or even lumps of sleep or thought, and the way the beast nestles against them suggests a state of introspection or still emotion.

The title "Sumasu" (with a phonetic nuance reminiscent of "to clear," "to finish," or "to become clear") stands in contrast to the intense emotional movement suggested by "Hashiru," evoking quietness, calm, or the stillness after something has ended. In the "persona series"'s consistent theme of "emotions that even I cannot explain," this work illustrates that such emotions do not necessarily manifest as a frantic rush, but can also exist as a quiet presence, like one who stands still and nestles.

[Artist's Comment]

A work based on the concept of persona. People experience a variety of emotions that change and flow daily. Deep within, there are also emotions that even I cannot explain. Is the beast an enemy or a friend to me? The interpretation changes depending on the emotion at the time.