What do Art Nouveau, Japanese manga comics and a particular brand of LA cool have in common? They’re all wrapped up in the the intriguing art of Japanese-American artist Audrey Kawasaki.
Inspired by the beauty and mystique of the female form, Kawasaki’s images have been drawing in a big audience Stateside over the past few years. Often painted directly onto wooden panels, her art gains extra depth and texture from the natural organic grains and patterns of the wood – each of which brings an additional unique layer to the paintings.
Now, the LA-based artist’s intricate and mysterious work is available in our
Brighton gallery, and online, as Kawasaki joins our artrepublic family of artists. We’re excited to be able to share a selection of her limited edition prints, including 'Madame Una' and ‘Arianna’, which are exclusive to artrepublic in Europe.
Using scrolled, turn of the 20th-century typography with a modern colour palette of soft pinks, turquoises and yellows – plus the woodgrain background – both ‘Madame Una’ and ‘Arianna’ draw upon the mysterious and marvellous space of the circus… and freaks shows.
From clowns and illusionists to contortionists and strongwomen, the characters and vintage glamour of the travelling show is pulled into the modern day via Kawasaki’s own brand of graphic design-meets-illustration – a style that forced her to abandon her studies at the Pratt Institute in New York, where the focus was firmly on the conceptual.
Inspired by old advertisements posters for circus performers, these two prints also subtly nod to the whimsical and fantastical nature of Japanese fashion culture, and have a fresh, tattoo-like feel to them too – something that hasn’t passed LA’s tattoo parloursby. Ink inspired by Kawasaki’s artwork have become an increasingly common sight on California’s streets (and beyond) in recent years, showing a style shift from the traditional pin-up to this more modern feminine form.
If you want to bring a playful hit of circus-style home with you, our exclusive limited editions are your only chance – unless you plan on visiting the US or Asia sometime soon! Drop by our Brighton gallery and speak to one of our art advisors or, if you’re not local, check out this artist’s striking work online at artrepublic.com.
Image Credit: Jordana Sheara
