In her quiet, elegant manner Toshiko Ni Toshiko in her Studio shikawa’s work speaks of hidden powers that lie just beyond the horizon. Her distinctive layering of organic lines that flow downwards or across the picture plan presents an obstruction through which the audience must travel, encouraging a form of seeking that is so familiar within our day-to-day lives.  In fact, the cornerstone of Nishikawa’s work is motion; each line is a pure and fluid articulation. Using a unique combination of mixed media on layers of plexiglas encased in a box, the finished pieces possess not only height and width, but also depth, allowing for a unique visual experience. Nishikawa explains, “I also use the shadows of the shapes on the acrylic box. Thus, the position of light or where people stand will change the vision of my art works dramatically.”

The timeless, elemental quality that is captured by her style is created by an eradication of geometric forms in favor of the perfect flowing organic line. This ethereal condition invokes calm and meditation even amongst the motion and activity within each piece. Nishikawa possesses a wonderful, if minimalist, sense of color, using mushroom grays, electric blues and greens, or shimmering magentas and yellows, paired with her characteristic white. The pairing of color remains muted through the haze of spots, drips and streaks which are usually white or off-white, whilst the intense color shows through the negative spaces giving the effect of looking out a window during a rain shower. The result is equally hypnotic; as delicate, overlapping layers topped off by the hazy forefront provide a soothing, meditative plane. The magnitude of color recedes while a focus on line and layering springs forth. She, too, has recently begun vigorous circular compositions, where innumerable layers of rings spin round and round the picture plane smoothly and deliberately. “The power of line is one of the most important expressions in the Japanese art world,” she explains.

Toshiko Nishikawa has had a great number of exhibitions and media attention in both her native Japan and the United States. Her work is highly sought after for its impeccable quality and its accessibility for both art lovers and the general population.  She currently resides in Manhattan, New York.

www.toshikon.com
www.Art-Mine.com/ArtistPage/Toshiko_Nishikawa.aspx

Metamorphosis 1 - Mixed Media 9.5'' x 6.5'' Metamorphosis 3 - Mixed Media 7.5'' x 6'' Metamorphosis 2 - Mixed Media 10.5'' x 8.5''