YU YASUDA (Japanese, B. 1982)

Yu Yasuda produces paintings that straddle the familiar world and images from his own universe. In Diaphanous (Lot 179), shimmering layers of pastel colours creates fluid and abundant waves as a figure stands calmly on the horizon. The waves seems to reflect the figures mind, an escape from reality and the pursuit of serenity. The quietly wind-rippled sea and stratum captures this timeless-moment, evoking traditional monochrome landscape ink-painting. The tension within the work is enhanced with the incredible layering of colour. The sentiment is in line with the artist’s feelings on contemporary society, as well as being a reflection of how we live in the moment.