Shadows of Time

A half-century fascination with Japan began in 1976 when I spent one year as an exchange student in Tokyo. It led to an Honours degree in Japanese, numerous visits to Japan for pleasure and work in the 1980s and several artist residencies over the past decade. 

As one who speaks and reads the language but is still an “outsider” (外人Gaijin or outside person), I have peered through the shoji screens and observed the “inside” while reflecting on my own culture and values. Australia and Japan are opposite on so many levels; climate, topography, mono-versus-multi-culture, ancient versus new world. The Yin Yang is fascinating by way of contrast. 

The works embody my respect for Japanese aesthetics and the traditional practices of ritual and dedication to the task at hand. Many borrow Japanese minimalism, repetition, wrapping, the impermanence of Washi paper, a muted palette and subtle suggestion rather than explanation.