下向惠子 SHIMOMUKAI Keiko
《MYTHOS 12-L-1 イザナギとイザナミ》
2012年 木製パネルの上に和紙、顔彩、樹脂膠 80.0×160.0cm
MYTHOS 12-L-1 Izanagi & Izanam
2012, Mud pigment, natural resin glue on Japanese washi paper mounted on wooden panel, 80.0×160.0cm
下向惠子
SHIMOMUKAI Keiko
1955年神奈川県横浜市生まれ 東京に在住、活動
目には見えないけれど確かにその存在を強く感じるものがあります。言葉では表現しきれないその感覚を絵画として表現しつづけて来ました。キャンバスに油彩、パネルにアクリル、そして和紙に顔彩へと、この感覚を表すのに適した素材を手探りしながら。
2000年以降、森や川が目の前にある東京の西の端に住み始めてからは、環境が自分にとって（作品制作も含めて）いかに大きな影響を与えているかを自覚するようになりました。そして日々の生活の中で水の循環を眺めているうちに、あたかも大いなる何者かが存在するようなイメージに繋がっていきました。
そんな中、日本最古の書『古事記』に出会いました。2008年から取り組んでいる「MYTHOSシリーズ」は『古事記』を少しずつ読みながら進めています。はじめに登場する天地開闢の神々は特に興味深く、目に見える身体を持たない抽象的な存在なのです。いわばエネルギー体です。これをなんとか表現したい。
それ以来、奇想天外にも思える神話や伝説に託して、見え隠れする本当のことを探しながら制作しています。これからを生きる（描く）ヒントを過去から探す試みのひとつとして。そして私が今生きていることの確認として。
Born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, 1955. Lives and works in Tokyo, Japan.
Despite being invisible to our naked eye, there are things from which we can definitely perceive a strong sense of existence. In my paintings, I have continued to express that sensation, which cannot be fully described with words. I have also explored suitable materials to depict that sensation; namely, I began from oil on canvas, then moved to acrylic paint on panel, and then to mud pigment on Japanese washi paper.
In 2000, I began to live in the west end of Tokyo where the forest and river lay before me. This made me realize the great influence that the surrounding environment has on me (and the creation of my works). Gazing at the circulating water of the river in my everyday life allowed me to connect that sight with an image that made me feel as if the “great one” really does exist.
In that environment, I encountered the book Kojiki /Records of Ancient Matters . I have been reading the book little by little, while also developing the MYTHOS Series that I began to produce in 2008. The gods in tenchi kaibyaku (a time when heaven and earth were created), which appeared at the outset of that book, were particularly interesting. This is because those gods were abstract beings that did not possess visible physical bodies; that is, they were energy bodies. I endeavor to somehow depict that energy.
Ever since, I have continued to produce works, while also seeking the truth that can be glimpsed through referring to the myths and legends that might seem unimaginable. This means of production is an attempt to discover clues from the past, in order for me to continue to live (and create my works), as well as to confirm that I am living in the now.(Translated by NANPEI Taeko)
更新された最新の情報は、作家のウェブサイトをご覧ください。
Please refer to the artist’s website for new updates.
《MYTHOS 17-HS-4ダンスⅡ》
2017年 掛け軸/和紙、顔彩、樹脂膠 194.0×68.0cm(140.0×60.0cm)
MYTHOS 17-HS-4 DanceⅡ
2017, Hanging scroll/Mud pigment, natural resin glue on Japanese washi paper, 194.0×68.0cm(140.0×60.0cm)
《MYTHOS 18-2Z-1 あめのうずめ》
2018年 木製パネルの上に和紙、顔彩、樹脂膠 60.0×180.0cm
MYTHOS 18-2Z-1 Amenouzume
2018, Mud pigment, natural resin glue on Japanese washi paper mounted on wooden panel, 60.0×180.0cm
《MYTHOS 19-S12-5,6,7,8 あめのうずめ》
2019年 木製パネルの上に和紙、顔彩、樹脂膠 61.0×61.0cm×4点組
MYTHOS 19-S12—5,6,7,8 Amenouzume
2019, Mud pigment, natural resin glue on Japanese washi paper mounted on wooden panel, 61.0×61.0cm×4pieces
