HIROKI KAWANABE

Hiroki Kawanabe is a self-taught artist who finds beauty in simplicity. His work is a reflection of his principles in life and his connection to the world, with each brushstroke and choice of colour being an unrepeatable “miracle” or expression of his being. Kawanabe believes in never revising his work, allowing imperfections to stand as a testament to the uniqueness of each creation he makes, in line with the Japanese concept of “En” or “Ichi-go-ichi-e”. He approaches his art with reverence, he believes that every encounter with his canvas is a unique and unrepeatable miracle.

“Let things be as they are.

Paint it as it is, as I can

I paint what I can paint.

I just paint— every day.

I do not need any reason, purpose, or meaning for painting.

I dare say that painting itself is the purpose of painting.

I just paint. That is all.

That is what painting means to me, and I live my life with it as my daily routine.

I paint as I am.

I paint what I am capable of painting.”

Hiroki Kawanabe

Kawanabe draws inspiration from traditional Japanese culture, including ukiyo-e techniques, haiku poetry, zen philosophy and more. He lives by the philosophy of “Let things be as they are”, valuing authenticity, stillness and self-acceptance in both art and life. Most of his works are inspired by his surroundings, embodying the idea that living life abundantly and beautifully is rooted in simplicity. The artist uses an iPhone camera to capture scenes from his neighbourhood, and his work reflects the simplicity of his surroundings. His paintings reflect his humble existence, inviting viewers to personally engage with his art and appreciate their own unique perspectives and emotions. “How does it look to you? How does it make you feel?”

In Kawanabe’s world, art is as it is, and the act of viewing it is a unique and personal experience.

He hopes that viewers will look at his art, embrace the truth of each painting and find their own meaningful connections.

Courtesy of the gallery