Oil on canvas

53.4 × 45.3 cm. × 2  21×17 7/8 in. × 2

Signed in English and dated on the reverse of each piece
EXHIBITED
2 - 31 Mar 2024, Parallel Paradise, Soka Art, Beijing

PROVENANCE
Soka Art, Beijing
Acquired directly by present important private Asian collector from the above

The Ark of Life Navigates Dreams in the Snowy Realm
Kiriko Iida's Journey to the Shores of Aspiration

Born in 1970 in Hokkaido, Japan, Kiriko Iida captivates audiences with themes of innocence and mysterious aestheticism. A graduate of the Hokkaido School of Design, Iida has received significant recognition, including the Japan Illustration Award from the Japan Visual Art Association (JACA) in 1991 and the Special Prize at the Japan Visual Art Award in 1998. From 2003 onward, Iida was selected for Shell Art Award exhibitions for two consecutive years, with her works frequently featured in exhibitions and art fairs across Asia. Rooted in Japanese culture yet filled with transcendent imagination, her art resembles a collection of fairy tales imbued with Eastern charm. In particular, the upcoming artwork for auction, titled Dream on Board is a great example of her oeuvre.

Sailing Through the Universe on the Vessel of Dream

"Looking up to snow in the winter sky, I feel as if the whole thing were a dream."
——Kiriko Iida

This artwork depicts a boat sailing through a snowy night, carrying four children and a kitten. In the distance, a kingfisher leaps from the sea, while a girl leans over the bow, reaching out to interact with the bird-a metaphor for hope and freedom. The three children snuggle closely with the kitten in the cabin, gazing with concern at the girl at the front of the boat. The dark night sky is filled with swirling snowflakes, and the tranquil blue sea reflects the moonlight, while the kitten playfully dances in the night sky, creating a surreal vision.

Expressing Cultural Aspirations with the Voice of Art

"But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded."
——Genesis

The imagery of boats is quite rare in Iida's work, with only three pieces featuring such elements. This particular work is the largest among them. Drawing parallels to the biblical story of Noah, its uniqueness is apparent. In the Genesis, God unleashes a flood to punish humanity, prompting Noah to build an ark and take his three sons, family, and animals aboard. He sends out birds to check if the waters have receded, ultimately leading to their survival. The elements in Dream on Board echoes this biblical narrative, showing Iida's deep compassion for all living beings through a lens of childlike wonder.

The children in the artwork draw inspiration from the Ainu people, the indigenous inhabitants of Hokkaido. They live in harmony with forest animals, firmly believing that all things possess a spirit. Historically oppressed by the Yamato culture, the Ainu have faced challenges in modern urban settings, where a genuine connection with animals is often lost. In this piece, Iida infuses a noble humanistic hope, deepening the meaning of her work.

Price estimate:
HKD 60,000 - 90,000
USD 7,700 - 11,500