by artist Mika Shinagawa Oil and acrylic on canvas, with white frame Size: 97 x 145,5 cm The Artist on the Work “Astra” Astra is the Latin word for “stars.” The title refers not only to celestial bodies, but also to the idea that the universe exists within every living being. It reflects my interest in the connection between the macrocosm and the microcosm, where children, plants, insects and stars are inseparably connected within one shared cosmos. Plants and insects symbolise the inherent value of all living things and are rooted in a Japanese view of nature influenced by animism and the Buddhist belief that even grasses and trees can attain enlightenment. Within the children’s eyes, I depict imagery that evokes both the vastness of the universe and the microscopic world. In this way, the work suggests that even the smallest forms of life are inseparably connected to the cosmos. In Japan, there is an old saying: “Until the age of seven, a child belongs to the gods.” It expresses the belief that young children exist in a space between the human and spiritual worlds. I am fascinated by this ambiguity – where the familiar and the mysterious, innocence and awe, exist side by side. I see this duality not only in children, but as a fundamental aspect of the human condition. The child therefore appears in my work as a symbol of this shared ambiguity. When your country does not pop up when checking out, and you are interested in buying this artwork, please contact gallery owner Ronald Hofman on e-mail [email protected] for inquiries on how to order and get this art work shipped to you.
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