This vibrant, whimsical artwork features a stylized human figure standing atop an ornate, sun-like motif surrounded by a serene mountain landscape. The composition is marked by a striking contrast of colors, with the cool blues of the sky and mountains complementing the warm tones of the central figure and sun-like form. The artist employs a distinctive cartoonish style, combining geometric shapes, bold lines, and a playful, dreamlike quality. The piece conveys a sense of spiritual or transcendent themes, hinting at the artist's intention to explore mystical or symbolic concepts through this imaginative visual language. ...
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. ...
