Fugue

Similar to Shinoda’s lithographs which highlight the concept of “blank space,” in the predominantly monochromatic color scheme and in the presentation of abstracted images through calligraphic strokes. This relatively large work demonstrates “a fugue” of graphically powerful brushwork. The intersection of various calligraphic strokes ranging in size and quality from large and bold to thin and agile, creates an evocative contrast of brushwork against the “blank space.” The thin strokes of green against the dark, diagonal, and large strokes in the left corner, adds a sense of tension to the entire work. These subtle addition of these types of thin, calligraphic lines, usually in red pigment against a dark plane, are a hallmark of Shinoda’s works.

The print is the artist’s proof from an edition of 35. It is titled and signed in pencil at the bottom from the center of the print to the right. According to Allison Tolman, whose family has worked with Shinoda since the 1970s, Fugue was published in May 1984 by the Tolman Collection of Tokyo.