Machida’s explorations of human relationships, self-consciousness and social awareness are expressed in each line—a void drawn within the silence of contemplation. Yet abandoned clues remain, cryptic signifiers, so that perhaps these portrayals of dysfunction, brutality, and displacement also offer a quilt of comfort after waking from a nightmare.
Japan-based Kumi Machida depicts haunting biomorphic humans awakening from surreal dream-like states. Machida’s practice has its roots in traditional Japanese painting with sumi ink on kumohada linen paper, with limited colouring from mineral pigments.
Her austere brushwork renders a darker nuance to these apparently-tranquil beings; layered fine lines sparsely define forms and voids, lending the works a deadpan absurdity.
