Emi Mizukami's "The birds are gone" features an intricate composition using muted tones with visible layers of texture. The central wooden panel, marked by fabric and scribbled figures, evokes themes of absence and decay. Mizukami employs a dual-layer technique, blending obscured imagery beneath with new, visible narratives, creating a dialogue on perception and reality. The visible sketches and textual elements enhance the contemplative mood. This artwork reflects Mizukami's exploration of mythology and materiality, emphasizing the unseen layers' impact on our understanding of the visible world. ...
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.
