dreyyyy.

so Mr.C says to do a post on inspiration for coursework.
this isn’t really inspiration for coursework per se, but I guess inspiration in general? close enough la 😀

Yuugure No Houkago (Afterschool)
oil & graphite on wood, 2009

Saying Goodbye
oil & graphite on wood, 2009

Girl in Static
oil & graphite on wood, 2010

Boy in Static
oil & graphite on wood, 2010

Artist Background:

Audrey Kawasaki is a Los Angeles based young artist (28yrs old) who is known for her distinctive, sometimes erotically charged portrayals of young, adolescent women. Her works are typically oil paintings painted directly onto wood panels, and her style has been described as a fusion of Art Nouveau and Japanese Manga. After studying fine arts at Pratt Institute in NYC, she left due to conflicting views with regards to conceptual VS figurative art. As of 2006, Kawasaki is considered a rising star in the Los Angeles art scene.

The first 2 images above are more representative of her distinctive style, the first displaying the deeper and somewhat strange themes that she explores in her art. The later 2 are a set, and show a slight change in style but still displays very noticeable and unique qualities.

Why I like her work & How I feel about her work:

According to her website, the themes in Audrey Kawasaki’s work are contradictions within themselves. Her work is both innocent and erotic. Each subject is attractive yet disturbing.  I agree fully with this statement as her figures are depicted with very good flow and realism, and forms appear soft and life-like, although surrealist elements have been introduced. This is further enhanced by her precise technical style. The faces of women are greatly stylized and well defined, yet the sharp lines do not make her works look unfavorable hard or too sharp. There is a myth-like quality to her works that draws the viewers in. Her sharp graphic imagery is combined with the natural grain of the wood panels she paints on, bringing an unexpected warmth to enigmatic subject matter.

The figures she paints are seductive and contain an air of melancholy. They exist in their own sensually esoteric realm, yet at the same time present a sense of accessibility that draws the observer to them. These mysterious young women captivate with the direct stare of their eyes. Her painting themes are not limited to a select few, but branch out quite widely from themes such as death to others such as childhood, although the common melancholy behind them remains.

Viewing her works, I feel that they evokes intense emotions from the viewer, and surfaces strong personal responses. The themes she touches on are not too abstract and can be easily inferred from the piece of work. This allows the viewer to be clear about the direction the artist is taking, and direct their thought process along those lines to better appreciate the work. Even if one is unable to appreciate the meaning behind it, the sheer beauty and mystery of her works is enough to draw viewers towards it. Her unique style and choice of medium, wood, also sets her apart from other artists.

In relevance to my coursework, I feel that Kawasaki has been very successful in developing a personal style, which is what I can learn from her. Her works are very distinctive, and she has trademarked herself and made herself a recognisable artist in the states and around the world. I feel that it is important for me to be able to develop a personal style not only for my personal art development, but also in my fashion design coursework as well. Ultimately, fashion is also about branding, and branding comes about by being distinctive and unique from the rest. I am very in awe of Kawasaki’s painting style, and greatly admire her works.

Intrigued?
I hope this post has introduced you to one of my favourite artists, who also happens to share my name 😀
visit her website at:
http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/