Born in 1989 in Kanagawa, Japan, Masayoshi Nojo completed his MA in Japanese Paintings in 2015 at the Kyoto University of Art and Design. Nojo's innovative and complex techniques blend contemporary visual languages with traditional Japanese aesthetics, deeply exploring themes of memory and the passage of time. Rooted in Japanese art history, Nojo’s work prominently features silver – a medium that evokes the ethereal and shimmering qualities reminiscent of Ogata Kōrin’s celebrated works from the Edo Period. Kōrin’s marbled silver rivers, often depicted on byōbu folding screens, symbolized the flow of time through the changing color of the metal due to oxidation.
This motif, embraced by artists worldwide such as Gustav Klimt, is a cornerstone of the Rinpa school ("school of Kōrin"). In his latest series, "Mirage," Nojo conjures a sense of déjà vu, evoking memories that feel tantalizingly close yet just out of reach. Nojo’s creative process is meticulous and layered. He begins by preparing the canvas with a marbled layer of acrylic paint, reminiscent of Kōrin’s "Red and White Plum Blossoms." Following this, he photographs and adjusts each image before transferring it to the canvas via silk screening, allowing the marbled layer beneath to shine through and create a contemporary twist. Finally, he applies layers of aluminum and silver foil, symbolically recreating a sense of intangible distant memories.
Masayoshi Nojo's work is deeply influenced by natural phenomena and the incorporation of uncontrollable elements. Drawing inspiration from Japan's rich natural landscapes, such as the serene Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Nojo’s art is a reflection on how humans should live in harmony with nature. His pieces often feature intricate details and complex structures, making the experience of viewing them in person particularly significant. In "Rest in Silver," viewers will encounter forest landscapes that, while recognizable, remain abstract in their specific locations. Nojo's innovative use of silver, combined with aluminium powder and black paint, creates concentric rings resembling the annual growth rings of a tree. These intricate details are intended to provide a layered visual experience, encouraging viewers to move back and forth in front of the artworks, much like approaching a mirage.
Nojo’s Fricker series, part of the upcoming exhibition, will focus on the shifting color tones of landscapes. The process mirrors that of the "Mirage" series, but the images become three-dimensional when mounted, creating folds that conceal the foil and emphasize the background colors. These works depict the changing tones from morning to night, symbolizing the passage of time from left to right. JD Malat Gallery invites visitors to immerse themselves in the ethereal and reflective world of Masayoshi Nojo. The "Rest in Silver" exhibition promises a captivating exploration of memory, time, and nature through the lens of traditional Japanese art infused with contemporary techniques.
Join us for this unique opportunity to experience the mesmerizing works of Masayoshi Nojo, where traditional Japanese art meets contemporary innovation.
Masayoshi Nojo: Rest in Silver - press release
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