Silk Road 28. 2006/07.
Oil and Acrylic on canvas.
Signed in lower right, verso signed and inscribed in Japanese. 80 x 117 cm (31.4 x 46 in).

Accompanied by a written expertise from the Associazione Shozo Shimamoto, Naples, from April 3, 2008 (in copy), signed by the artist. The work is registered at the associazione with the number 422.

PROVENANCE: Private collection Italy (acquired directly from the artist).
Private collection Italy (acquired from aforementioned in 2016).

The work offered here was made as Action-Painting in the yacht harbor of Nishinomiya in the Japanese prefecture Hyogo. Shimamoto launched the project "Heiwa no Akashi" (A Proof of Peace) in 2000. In context of the project he organizes an annual performance at said marina in order to commemorate the peace in his home country. As a result of these performances gaudy and energetic artworks come into existence, just like this work "Silk Road 28" for which Shimamoto flings the acrylic paint onto a canvas that Masanori Nakao painted after Shimamoto's design. The artist hurls cups, bottles and bags filled with paint onto the canvas and creates his artworks in spectacular ways - for some of his works he even drops the paint bombs from an elevated platform or even from a helicopter. These special performances meet the radical standards of the movement "Guta" which Shozo Shimamoto and Jiro Yoshihara founded in 1954. With their experimental and avant-gardist works that were related to Action-Painting and Happenings they also influenced Western art. The series "Silk Roads" is particularly captivating for its bright and gaudy works that are characterized by an abundance of artistic power and energy that captures observers regardless of origin, education and nationality. [CH]

In a very fine condition with strong colors. Lower right corner minimally rubbed. The condition report was compiled in daylight with the help of an ultraviolet light and to the best of knowledge.