Emi Mizukami's "Drawing for Dear Sentiment" features a monochromatic palette with layered circular shapes that appear both emerging and receding, creating a dialogue between the visible and the unseen. The drawing depicts ghostly silhouettes within these circles, evoking mysterious, otherworldly narratives. Mizukami employs a technique that initially reveals, then obscures imagery with pigment and sand, allowing new images to form atop an invisible foundation. This approach underscores themes of concealment and revelation, reflecting her interest in mythology and narrative complexity. The artwork captures a tension that invites contemplation on the unseen forces shaping perception. ...
Mizukami merges mythology and materiality by combining stories from various cultures into richly layered works that challenge what is seen and unseen. Her technique involves first painting an image, then obscuring it entirely with pigment mixed with Namib Desert sand. She then overlays a new image atop this hidden layer, generating a complex dialogue between visible and concealed narratives within a single piece. This duality between the hidden and the visible layers generates a dynamic tension, enriching the spatial and temporal experience within the painting. The disconnection and interplay between these layers, shaped by different moments and artistic choices, combine to form a single cross-section—reflecting the complexity and ambiguity of the world we navigate. While the underlying image remains physically present but invisible, the act of covering it does more than hide; it adds depth and meaning, inviting viewers to consider what lies beneath and how concealment shapes perception and understanding. ...
Ehrlich Steinberg is an LA-based contemporary art gallery founded in 2023. The gallery exhibits national and international artists with a focus on emerging and research-based practices.
