UTAMAKURA

Outline of the exhibition

MARUEIDO JAPAN is pleased to announce that it will hold a solo exhibition by Aiko Robinson entitled ‘UTAMAKURA’.

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Shunga is a form of pornography, or erotica, which flourished in Japan during the Edo period (17th-19th centuries) Historical Shunga reflects the acceptance or celebration of sex in Shinto culture, and values love, mutual pleasure and equality between sexual partners. Shunga, which literally translates to “Spring pictures” is also positively associated with the season of fertility and new life. I am interested in how these idealised visions of the Shunga artist might compare to prevailing ideas regarding pornography in contemporary society.

For those who are familiar with my works you may remember my pen drawings on washi paper featuring couples having sex up in trees. This year I wanted a change from this style. Compared with the bold, public display of sex in tree tops, these works focus on a more intimate moment between lovers in the privacy of the bedroom. The new scenes I have painted are probably more relatable to a wider audience. My previous works focused on the surrounding nature and buildings. These works zoom in on the body and the detailed patterns of the covers and curtains that tangle around the limbs.

These works are also larger than my usual works. They are life sized which, combined with the close details of the body allows the viewer to feel a sense connection to the figures and the scene taking place.

I have always been afraid to use colour and have typically favoured black and white, but I’ve pushed myself this time. In saying that, for most of these works I have kept the colours monochrome using similar shades of the same colour. The interesting thing about using a monochrome palette in my work is that in some cases it makes the subject harder to distinguish. It can take a moment to understand what is happening.

Inspired by Japanese scrolls I have used a long horizontal or panoramic format for my paintings. One might view the work as if reading words, creating a sort of narrative quality to the works. The figures and patterns spill off the edge of the painting emphasising the sense of movement.

I have continued with the same humourous motifs of mussels and mushrooms, incorporating them into the the patterns of the fabric. The mussel looks suspiciously like a vagina, and the mushroom, a penis. On a similar note the flowers may invoke the notion of a blossoming orgasm. Shunga, was also known as Waraie, which translates to “Laughing pictures”. I believe that humour allows us to talk more openly about sex, a topic which could otherwise be considered challenging to speak about.

The works themselves would probably be described as figurative, or representational. However I have used the fabric and drapery to conceal some body parts and information. This makes the composition of the painting almost abstract. I have chosen not to draw faces, which leaves the identity of the figures concealed. As the artist I find it difficult to choose a face to draw. The identity of the figures can be left to the imagination of the viewer. After all, regardless of culture, society or time period, sex can bring a lot of joy to our lives.

Aiko Robinson
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