Oil on canvas

91 × 91 cm. 35 7/8 × 35 7/8 in.

Signed in English on the stretcher on the reverse

LITERATURE
2010, November - Iida Kiriko, Soka Art Center, Taipei, p. 7
EXHIBITED
6-28 Nov 2010, November - Iida Kiriko Solo Exhibition, Soka Art, Taipei

PROVENANCE
Soka Art, Taipei
7 Dec 2014, Ravenel Taipei Autumn Auction, Lot 311
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

Every Encounter: A Face of Pure Elegance
Kiriko Iida's Ode in White

Kiriko Iida was born in 1970 in Hokkaido, Japan. She graduated from the Hokkaido Academy of Formative Arts in 1991. Drawing inspiration from her hometown's natural and cultural landscapes, she distills the unique narrative space of the local "snowscape," unveiling the mysterious veil of the northern lands.

Iida is accustomed to starting her artistic process when inspiration first strikes. Her approach involves multiple layers of meticulous outlining, erasing, and blending, persisting until she achieves the desired atmospheric sensation.

The presented piece, Blessing, was featured in Kiriko Iida's first solo exhibition titled Iida Kiriko Solo Exhibition, held in Taipei in 2010. It stands as the sole female portrait in the exhibition, captivating the audience with its emotional resonance.

Through the Snow, Into Forever: a Journey of Enduring Togetherness

"White, the most inclusive hue, reflecting the depths of other colours."
——Kiriko Iida

The artwork depicts a girl amid ice and snow, gazing directly at the viewer. Her hair, resembling waves of the sea, gracefully flows upward, indicating traces of the wind's movement. Blue-green star-like points float on her hair, reminiscent of the reflections of snowflakes on a lake's surface, clinging to her left shoulder, loose hair, and garment. The coffee-coloured straight strands resemble the patterns of tree bark.

Her dual pupils, clear as water, pierce through a bright gaze, shrouded in an air of mystery. Notably, the eyebrows are deliberately left blank, a technique seen in historical female portraits to draw attention to the protagonist's eyes. Iida employs this approach to highlight the large almond-shaped eyes and expression.

A faint redness appears in her eyes, with subtle highlights on the tip of the nose, earlobes, water lips, and slightly pink fingertips, delicately depicting the severe cold climate unique to the northern region. The girl sits serenely on the ground, her pure white dress seemingly dyed by blossoming pink flowers from the bottom, bringing a gentle and vibrant touch of spring.

Precise control of white shades in the central part of the painting creates abundant "blank-leaving," echoing the proclaimed "beauty of emptiness" in the artwork. This invites viewers to slow down, experiencing the beauty beneath the snow.

Price estimate:
HKD: 80,000 - 150,000
USD: 10,200 - 19,200

Auction Result:
HKD: 96,000