Earthian 地球人

Huge octopus arms with fantastically enlarged suckers climb up the picture intertwining. In the background is a monochromatic geometric grid continuing ad infinitum. The artist seems to be contrasting the curtain wall-like inorganic structure with the dynamic energy of the life form, Even if we cut the arms off the almost humorous octopus on the table, the energy will never cease, continuing to increase like the ever-multiplying suckers. In 1956, when he exhibited this work at his second solo exhibition at the Takemiya Gallery, Yoshinaka stated, "Works of formalistic abstraction that strongly assert form... dwell solely on what is in the picture. For that reason, they tend to neglect the issue of the relation of man and matter in society." Even in the heyday of "art informel!, Yoshinaka used rather craft-like techniques, for example, working to achieve a smooth finish to his surfaces and purposely tearing the canvas and carefully sewing it back together again. In such actions, we can see the unique attitude of this artist who refused to bend to the trends of the times and continued to challenge the possibilities in painting.