Hideaki Kawashima

Fan (Hand-finished)

€2,250

Artwork

Edition of 2080.2 (H) × 65.0 (W) cmShipping est. 4 weeksHand-finishedFrame included

In a series of hand-finished prints, Hideaki Kawashima reflects on becoming who you once looked up to.

The Japanese term ‘ojisan’ – used by younger generations in reference to characteristically stubborn middle aged men – is equal parts affectionate, mocking and deferential. With Fan, Kawashima returns to his adolescent view of such figures, staging relationships between a youthful sitter and portraits looking on from behind.

“When I was younger, I often couldn’t understand what Ojisan were saying, but now that I have become an Ojisan myself, It seems reasonable that I did not understand them. This series is a tribute to my predecessors, who guided me in this way.”

The framed portraits are individually painted by the artist in gouache, making every print unique. Most feature archetypal Ojisan, while some reprise the artwork’s subject – shifting the notion of being a ‘fan’ to one of self love. The nondescript book she is engrossed by absorbs this subtext – a novel filled with wisdom from the past, or a diary penned moments ago?

Because of the time consuming nature of the hand-finishing process, only ten prints will be ready to dispatch at launch on Wednesday 15 November. The remaining ten will be completed in early 2024.

Fan (Hand-finished) is accompanied by an edition of 30 prints featuring a portrait of renowned Japanese writer Yukio Mishima.

Portrait photo of Hideaki Kawashima in a black sweater

Hideaki Kawashima4 collaborationsHideaki Kawashima uses portraiture to expose the ambiguities of human life. Rendered in subdued palettes of seamlessly-blended oils, his wide-eyed characters express a spectrum of emotions: fear, desire, angst, longing. Said emotions, however, are never singular or overt. Similarly, androgynous facial features set gender identities in flux and small ghost-like creatures symbolise the blurred boundary between physical and spiritual realms. Playful touches of folklore, mythology and surrealism surface throughout, drawing influence from painters such as Mark Ryden and Pierre et Gilles. Having emerged in 1990s Japan alongside artists like Yoshitomo Nara, Kawashima’s work sits within the Superflat movement, contributing to the establishment of rich new legacies for manga and anime-influenced figuration.

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Reviews from Avant collectors

everything in the communication has been pretty clear and fluid, the tracking before delivery was detailled and fast, the packaging was enought secured and the final artwork is incredible !
Review of B BOY JUSHI
I was lucky enough to have been invited to see the creation of this piece of work back in June and met the fantastic Miwa so seeing this print now is just fantastic. The colours are every bit as vibrant as the original.
Review of Sacred Connectedness
The highest quality and most innovative print I've ever seen. Amazing!
Review of Portrait of Francis Bacon
The packaging and care for the artwork was incredible. Thank You!
Review of Actual Size
incredibly smooth international transaction! The best of the best and look forward to future purchases together
Review of Prismatic Head Composition
The framing was beautiful and it was the best packaged art piece I have ever received.
Review of March Snowstorm
well done, excellent product and customer service
Review of La Nascita
excellent and amazing. just a marvellous experience dealing with Avant Arte
Review of Dissipate

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