SUMI and SHU
SUMI is the Japanese word for black ink.
SHU is the Japanese word for cinnabar ink.
I began the "SUMI and SHU" series in 2000 because of my fascination with the inks and their intricate ties to Japanese aesthetics and shamanic rituals around the world. Viewers often connect their own culture and heritage to the forms and the power of these two primal color combinations. The series has evolved beyond my aesthetic interests to broader intuitive iconography in my exploration of universal translation. Editions are also available.
墨と朱 永遠の奥へ奥へとわたしたちを導く墨色。古代、魔除けとして呪術的な意味を付与された朱色。
日本でも墨と朱は古来から伝わる組み合わせですが、様々な国の人たちがそれぞれの観点から「懐かしさ」を感じると言います。二色二宇宙が織りなす陰と陽、民族を超えた人間の原始的な感覚に語りかける神秘、その普遍性に惹かれ、２０００年から『墨と朱』のシリーズを描いています。墨と朱は硯(すずり)で磨り、日本画の筆を使い絵を描きますが、紙は和紙だけではなく、フランスやインドの水彩紙など様々です。版画もあります。
Life, 2022, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Washi Paper, 27 x 59 inches (686 x 1499 mm)
Link, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 19 ¾ x 31 ¾ inches ( 501 x 806 mm), Edition Available
Family かぞく, 2011, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 22 ½ x 30 ¼ inches ( 572 x 768 mm), Edition Available
Light, 2016, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Washi Paper, 11 x 29.5 inches (280 x 750 mm), Edition Available
The Sun and The Moon 太陽と月, 2013, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 22 ½ x 30 ¼ inches ( 572 x 768 mm), Edition Available
Three Legged Raven and Snake 八咫烏と蛇, 2015, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Washi Paper, 18 ½ x 38 inches ( 470 x 965 mm), Edition Available
Bow お辞儀, 2001, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 7 ½ x 21 inches ( 190 x 533 mm) , Edition Available
Midsummer Night’s Dream 真夏の夜の夢, 2015, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Washi Paper, 18 ½ x 38 inches ( 470 x 965 mm),
U, 2018, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Washi Paper, 18¾ x 18¾ ( 476 x 476 mm), Edition Available
Vein, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 20 ¼ x 32 inches (514 x 812 mm), Edition Available
Photosynthesis 光合成, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 20 ¼ x 32 inches (514 x 812 mm), Edition Available
L, 2011, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 30¼ x 22½ inches (768 x 572 mm), Edition Available
Sunset, 2017, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Washi Paper, 18¾ x 18¾ ( 476 x 476 mm),
Pain, 2015, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Washi Paper, 18 x 24 inches (457 x 609 mm)
Thaw, 2018, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Washi Paper, 18¾ x 18¾ ( 476 x 476 mm), Edition Available
Aina (The Land), 2011, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 22 ½ x 30 ¼ inches ( 572 x 768 mm)
Birth, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 20 ¼ x 32 inches (514 x 812 mm), Edition Available
New Moon 新月, 2013, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 22 ½ x 30 ¼ inches ( 572 x 768 mm)
Star, 2009-2015, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 30¼ x 22½ inches (768 x 572 mm)
Funk, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 20 ¼ x 32 inches ( 514 x 812 mm), Edition Available
Hope, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 20 ¼ x 32 inches ( 514 x 812 mm),
Transition, 2009-2015, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 11 x 29¾ inches (279 x 756 mm), Edition Available
Dream, 2015, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 11 x 29¾ inches (279 x 756 mm), Edition Available
Conclusion 結び, 2004, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Watercolor Paper, 22 ½ x 15 inches ( 571 x 381 mm), Edition Available
Family for GVL
Incubation, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 20 ¼ x 32 inches ( 514 x 812 mm),
Sanctuary, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 20 ¼ x 32 inches ( 514 x 812 mm),
Pithole, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 20 ¼ x 32 inches ( 514 x 812 mm),
Megalomania, 2000, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Nepalese Paper, 20 ¼ x 32 inches ( 514 x 812 mm),
Red Horse and Flower, 2002, Sumi and Shu Japanese Ink on Gramercy Hotel Letter Paper, 8 ½ x 11 inches ( 216 x 280 mm)
The meditative process of grinding the ink stick against an ink stone is an essential component of my practice, which has a personal ceremonial meaning. Some ink sticks belonged to my late mother.
Installation View
Sumi and Shu Print Show, 2018, Playmountain East at Heath Ceramics, San Fransisco, CA
SUMI and SHU
A short film about the artist’s practice
by Toddy Stewart, 2016