Catfish
after Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Catfish has a special place in Japanese mythology. It is a large catfish that causes earthquakes in Japan, usually controlled by Kashima, god of thunder and suppressed by large rock. On the other hand, when corruption takes over it´s a catfish that, with a shake of its tail, causes the rich and the wealthy to drop their coins. The roots of this myth are in a belief that catfish can predict earthquakes. The views with depiction of this myth are called namazu-e, catfish images.
But this specific image is not such a view. It shows realistic and beautiful depiction of underwater world, with sunlight bursting through the surface; we observe catfish diving into the deep water with a few trout in the background. Hanging such a view offered protection from earthquakes and it was good omen in general.
Technique: acrylic on canvas
Size: 177 x 120 cm (69.68 x 47.24 inch)
Year: May 2011
Availability: In Private Collection
100 Views of Ukiyo-e
During my exploration of the beginning of modern art (Impressionism and Post-Impressionism) I found myself surrounded by beautiful views of Ukiyo-e prints. They were my explanation to everything: modern/contemporary painting, design, illustration, comics and animation. Even more, I had to tell that to everyone. Firstly, I did impressions/interpretations of famous works of Hiroshige and Hokusai, but I couldn´t stop there… I finally found my call.100 Views of Ukiyo-e is my life mission to re-create new originals of selected 100 Ukiyo-e prints, new original painting in new oban size. It is divided in 4 Volumes of 25 canvases, some of the forming diptychs or triptychs. So far I have finished the first set that introduces several masters, styles and topics.
A review by Amalija Stojsavljević, art historian can be read here.
Volume I – Masters
The First Volume of series of paintings of the 100 Views of Ukiyo-e. This initial set was a practical part of my magistrate thesis in Arts at Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo. I tried to introduce great masters of Ukiyo-e, specific styles and topics from its begging to the end.
100 Views of Ukiyo-e, Volume I: Masters Exhibition Catalogue for Web