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Shozo Hirai - Magnificent Constructivist Painting Circa 1980
€1,150€1,035-10%Bid from €855
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Batalha, PortugalOn Whoppah since July 2024 • 61 sales
Product description
Shozo Hirai (1948–2024) Painting on panel — Acrylic on MDF Dimensions: 52 × 39.5 cm Signature: Red wax seal “S.H – Shozo Hirai” on the reverse Condition: Very good (minor signs of studio wear) Framing: Sold unframed Provenance: Artist’s studio Period: 1975–1990
Explanation of the work: This vertical composition illustrates Shozo Hirai’s pursuit of balance and clarity. The pictorial space is divided into two distinct registers: the upper section, punctuated by a succession of colored vertical bands—green, white, light blue, orange-red, and deep blue—and the lower section, structured by three broad, superimposed horizontal bands of red, yellow, and gray. The whole rests on a highly precise geometric organization, where each color finds its place in a measured dialogue between verticality and horizontality. The white background, visible between the forms, acts as a breathing space, enhancing the legibility and internal tension of the composition.
The juxtaposition of primary and secondary colors, combined with the rigor of the black lines, lends this work a controlled visual intensity. Hirai deploys a subtle chromatic harmony, where formal rigor is combined with a meditative sensibility.
Artistic Context
Between 1975 and 1990, Shozo Hirai developed a pictorial language in Ixelles based on the encounter between European Constructivism and Japanese Zen thought. During this period, he explored the relationships between structure, rhythm, and silence, seeking to achieve a form of inner balance through geometry.
This painting fully illustrates this approach: the combination of vertical and horizontal axes, the precision of the drawing, and the clarity of the chromatic relationships convey a desire for order and serenity. Each color becomes a breath, each line a point of reference in a space for contemplation.
Commentary
An emblematic work from Shozo Hirai's mature period, this panel painting demonstrates an exceptional mastery of composition and color. Through the purity of its forms and the precision of its chromatic relationships, it embodies the convergence of discipline and contemplation. Coming directly from the artist's studio, this rare piece illustrates the coherence and depth of his work, where geometry becomes a spiritual language and color, a path to meditation.
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsMulti ColorMaterialMDF (Medium-density fibreboard)Number of items1OrientationPortraitArt sizeMediumHeight52 cmWidth39 cmDepth1 cmSigns of usageDiscoloring, Chipped, Scratches
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About this seller
Batalha, PortugalOn Whoppah since July 2024 • 61 sales