Lynching 1958  SAKURAI Takami (Fukuoka/1928- ) paint, asphalt, plastic, nail, paint tube, wire on wirenetting 91.6x80.2cm |
The avant-garde art group the "Kyushu-ha," known for their brilliantly guerilla-like art activities, was largely active in Fukuoka City in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The group holds an important place in the history of modern art in Japan as a pioneer in the formation of autonomous regional artistic endeavors. Sakurai was the leader and one of the central members of this group. Given that the "Kyushu-ha," as well as Sakurai himself, espoused the idea of temporary art and disdained creating lasting art objects, this is an extremely important work in terms of gaining an understanding of both the group and the artist. While the influence of the Informel style is apparent in this work, its most important aspect lies in its use of everyday materials such as asphalt and building paint. It is a splendid expression of the ideals and philosophy of the "Kyushu-ha" group, which advocated "the average person's viewpoint" in art. |