Oil on canvas

91×116.7 cm. 35 7/8×46 in.

Signed in English and dated on the reverse

LITERATURE
2017, Afterimage of the Light Iida Kiriko, Soka Contemporary Space Ltd., Taipei, p. 30
PROVENANCE
Soka Art, Taipei
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

Hearing Sounds of Nature
Dreamland in Kiriko Iida's Artwork

Born in Hokkaido, Japan in 1970, Kiriko Iida completed her education at the Hokkaido School of Design in 1991. Renowned for her distinctive style, she was honoured at Japan's prestigious Shell Art Award exhibitions in 2003 and 2004. Iida's work is inspired by the cultural landscapes and childhood memories of Hokkaido, and reflects the Ainu belief that all things have a spirit. Her art beautifully represents the purity and beauty of her homeland. Since 2006, Iida has showcased her work in Japan, Taiwan, Beijing, Hong Kong, and other locations, receiving praise at significant art fairs. Her artwork Float (Lot 5) embodies a serene, Zen-like quality that soothes the soul, while Cat and You 3 and Cat and You 4 (Lot 6) capture the innocence of children in snowy settings and the nature of friendship.

Four Seasons in the Snow

In Float, snowflakes vividly depict an iconic Hokkaido winter. Pink and blue mists drift across an ivory backdrop, evoking a surreal atmosphere. The young girl portrayed has pale skin with a hint of blush, and the touch of red on her slightly parted lips adds vibrancy to the cold scene. Her brown hair floats upwards like the ethereal figures in Marc Chagall's artwork. Despite the chill, her hair is adorned with symbols of all four seasons: bright spring flowers and rich autumn fruits, representing enduring hope in the winter. Her sparkling eyes, looking forward with a thoughtful yet restrained expression, communicate sorrow and hope, longing and care, forging a deep connection with the viewer.

Innocent Encounter

The Cat and You series depicts the innocent friendship between children in a snowy setting. The characters appear to be communicating beyond the frame. In one scene, a smiling girl dressed in colourful cotton robes adorned with traditional Ainu patterns stands out against the cold, snowy background. Opposite her, a boy in modern brown clothes shyly holds a kitten and greets the girl. Iida uses soft, gentle brushstrokes to express a hope for different cultures to live together peacefully without bias. Snowflakes swirl around the children like pearls on invisible threads, bringing the friends together. Kiriko Iida captures this warm and genuine interaction with a delicate approach.

Price estimate:
HKD 100,000 - 150,000
USD 12,800 – 19,200

Auction Result:
HKD: -