Kotaro Machiyama (b. 1980, Tokyo, Japan) explores the causes of his attraction to an object, and then creates a painting using the shapes and colours he finds as a result. The colour palette and ‘comic book’ aesthetic alludes to the vibrant Manga culture in Japan. The abstract works, reduced and simplified, pose questions to the viewer. These questions prompt the viewer to think, and move their consciousness away from the present situation. This is to focus on the notion of contemplation and escapism, to create an alternative and extraordinary reality for the viewer to explore.
In ancient Japan, festivals and Sake were prepared for the ‘Hare’ (extraordinary) days to get rid of the ‘Kegare’ (bad things) that accumulated in daily life and to gain vitality. Machiyama sees his paintings as a self-conscious tool to enter the ‘Hare’ days and to celebrate the extraordinary in life.