Takesada Matsutani, Untitled (1986). Graphite pencil, white spirit, acrylic on Canson JA paper. 64.8 x 49.8 cm. © Takesada Matsutani. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York and Almine Rech, Paris. Photo: Benoît Fougeirol.
Takesada Matsutani, Cercle 15-2-14 (2015). Vinyl adhesive, graphite pencil, acrylic on burnt plywood. 24 x 18 cm. © Takesada Matsutani. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York and Almine Rech, Paris. Photo: Benoît Fougeirol.
Takesada Matsutani, C. Circle 2022 / C (2022). Ink, acrylic, vinyl adhesive on cotton, plywood board. 146 x 139 cm. © Takesada Matsutani. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York and Almine Rech, Paris. Photo: Benoît Fougeirol.
Takesada Matsutani, Lampe-12 (2014). Vinyl adhesive, collage (dry paint), acrylic, graphite pencil on canvas mounted on plywood. 27.5 x 22 x 4 cm. © Takesada Matsutani. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York and Almine Rech, Paris. Photo: Benoît Fougeirol.
Takesada Matsutani‘s unrestrained abstractions exude playful energy. Composed of frenetic gestures, they hover between painting and sculpture.
A pioneer of Japanese modern art with a curiosity for experimentation, Matsutani’s practice navigates between organic forms and dense planes of ink and vinyl glue.
The artist joined the avantgarde Gutai group in Japan in the early 1960s. He embraced the expressive freedom of their oeuvre and began using intangible elements such as blown air to manipulate and shape his own.
Among them, Cercle 15-2-14 (2015) depicts a ring of pearly glue emerging from a sphere of scorched wood. Sensual and luminous, Cercle 15-2-14 gives spirit to otherwise mundane materials.
In honour of the artist’s 86th birthday, Almine Rech showcases an alluring presentation of Matsutani’s life work at its Paris gallery.
Takesada Matsutani is now open at Almine Rech until 18 February 2023.
Main image: Takesada Matsutani, Untitled (1986). Graphite pencil, white spirit, acrylic on Canson JA paper. 64.8 x 49.8 cm. © Takesada Matsutani. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York and Almine Rech, Paris. Photo: Benoît Fougeirol.
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