Asuka Takahashi

In "Little Bird," we soar through the air. The expressive heaviness of oil pastel does not suppress the feeling of lightness that the entire work brings. In front of a surprisingly blue sky, a pink bird is flying with outstretched wings. He stares at us, his eyes black and deep as the abyss; he looks at us surprised, as if our presence is not taken for granted but desired. The feeling is that of flying with him, with two outstretched wings attached to his back; his body light and aerodynamic. Quite another astonishment makes our senses vibrate in "Bless your Mane." The air is warm, indeed scorching and decidedly dry. All around us earthy, fiery colors ignite our vision. Two lions, with flowing, red manes stare at us with wide eyes. Looking at Asuka's work, we are not afraid. We perceive no sense of terror at the sight of the two fierce felines. In fact, what we perceive within our souls is the feeling of awe and pleasant discovery at seeing the two majestic animals and interacting with them through mutual gazes. If before we were hovering in the air, now we are on the ground; totally enfranchised by the red sand that litters our shoes.

If before our bodies were pervaded by graceful bursts of fresh wind, now our skin is warmed by the warmth of the sirocco wind. Asuka does not need to represent reality using mimesis and faithful reproductions. Asuka gets to the essence of things by extrapolating, from the elements of the world, their true nature. And that is how her works become pure sensation and pure instinct recorded in images through violent lines and saturated colors. It is an art free from all constraints and is wonderful for that.

Art Curator Lisa Galletti