The artwork features a vibrant and whimsical composition, with a predominance of warm colors and dynamic lines. The central figure, a person with exaggerated facial features, appears to be engaged in an act of consumption, perhaps indulging in a bowl of some substance. The overall scene depicts a surreal and dreamlike landscape, with mountains, clouds, and a mysterious structure in the background. The bold, expressive style and the juxtaposition of the mundane and the fantastical suggest that the artist may have intended to explore themes of imagination, indulgence, or the subconscious. ...
Makoto Toya’s works often take the form of monumental scrolls, created on traditional Japanese paper once used for sliding partition doors. Over the course of his career, including works in progress, he has produced 61 scrolls, each teeming with an array of figures and motifs: men, women, Buddhist symbols, fantastical creatures, celestial bodies, mountains, vegetation, and other elements drawn from nature. Toya does not begin with a predetermined composition; instead, he allows each image to emerge spontaneously, following the flow of his creative impulse in the moment.
His practice exemplifies a lifelong devotion to the act of drawing, reflecting a remarkable passion sustained for over fifty years. With each scroll, Toya continually explores and expands his artistic vision, finding new joys and discoveries in the process. This exhibition offers viewers a rare opportunity to witness the depth and vitality of an artist wholly absorbed in his craft, whose relentless curiosity and commitment transform each stroke into a testament to the enduring power of creative expression. ...
