Universe is Flux

Book excerpt: Recognized in Japan as a connoisseur, collector, and proprietor of a famous folk art shop in Tokyo, Tawara Yusaku returned to painting late in life and had a single show in London before his death in 2004. Universe Is Flux is the first examination of his accomplishments within the context of Asian and contemporary painting. Tawara's artistic vision was highly influenced by Buddhist concepts of cosmology and space. His works appear at first glance to be the result of bold, powerful strokes with a large brush, but close examination reveals each large stroke is composed of innumerable tiny strokes, dots, and splashes representing the constantly changing energy of the universe. Tawara rejected representational art and struggled instead to paint ultimate reality. The techniques that Tawara utilized to create his art resulted in a body of work that not only expresses his views of the universe but is also aesthetically powerful and beautiful. John Teramoto is curator of Asian art at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Stephen Addiss is Tucker-Boatwright Professor of Humanities at the University of Richmond. David Rosand is Meyer Schapiro Professor of Art History at Columbia University.