SUMI is the Japanese word for black ink.
SHU is the Japanese word for cinnabar ink.
I began "SUMI and SHU" series in 2000 from my fascination with the inks and their intricate ties to history, includingshamanic rituals around the world. The power between these two colors showcase the unique Japanese aesthetics and to me illustrate a yin and yang balance of stillness and movement.
When I share SUMI and SHU, viewers often connect with their own culture and heritage to my forms. The series has evolved beyond my personal Japanese aesthetic interests to broader intuitive iconography in my exploration of universal translation in these primal color combinations.
In my editions, I work closely with a master printer to reproduce my original paintings and the ink most faithful color to black(SUMI) and cinnabar (SHU) which I make from ink sticks.
Editions are available at Praise Shadows Fine Art
To learn more about Sumi and Shu, watch short documentary.
Light ひかり
2016, 11 x 29 ½ inches
Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Washi Paper