Miwa Komatsu

White and Black Guiding Yamainu-sama

€8,000

Limited edition

Edition of 15

Hand-finished

Sold out

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Miwa Komatsu enshrines her lifelong spirit guides with a pair of hand-painted sculptures.

Yamainu are divine beings, found in various forms throughout Japanese folklore. Miwa has cherished their guidance throughout her life. The creatures appear – wide eyed and cosmic – in many of her paintings.

An edition in two parts – one white, one black – explores harmony and contrast. Details on the surface of each sculpture are painted by the artist in her studio, making every pair unique. They include vines, wolf hair, cherubim wings and the traditional Japanese kanoko motif.

Miwa Komatsu painting a bronze sculpture

In Japanese folklore, two wolves – one black, one white – guided Prince Yamato Takeru as he embarked on a series of trials. According to legend, Buddhist monk Kukai was guided by a pair of Yamainu – one black, one white – to Mount Koya, where he built his temple. The site is now a focal point for Shingon Buddhism. Both tales inspired Miwa’ to create the edition.

Yamainu-sama look back again and again, showing me the way, but only my footprints remain in the snow.

Miwa Komatsu

The black Yamainu represents ‘A’ – the beginning of the Japanese alphabet. Its white counterpart represents ‘Un’ – the end. These contrasting sounds are evoked by their open and closed mouths, respectively. 'A-un' (阿吽) is a phonetic transcription of a Sanskrit word meaning 'the beginning and end of all things.'

The Yamainu watch calmly over humanity, seeking to eliminate evil in the world.

Miwa Komatsu

5 collaborations

Miwa Komatsu has one main objective in her practice – to translate spirituality into works of art. Working across different media, she explores Japanese folklore, Buddhism and other mythologies. She grew up in Nagano, the city with the highest mountains in Japan. This gave her "a deep sense of connection with the outside world, far beyond physical borders.” Her process often begins with prayer and meditation. This is a crucial part of connecting with the immaterial world she strives to channel. While Komatsu is best known for her paintings, she’s also made etchings, porcelain sculptures and virtual reality experiences. At exhibitions and events, she often paints live – showing how performative the painting process can be.

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Reviews from Avant collectors

Love the quality of the build
Review of Ugly Bastard
Extremely happy with the artwork but also the online insight to the production and interview with the artist. The shipping and packaging are very considered and I look forward to seeing ( & buying ) other pieces
Review of Guardian
Overall extremely impressed with Avant Arte, especialy with the shipping/packaging and materials included with the print. Definitely care and attention to detail not typicaly associated with art of this price-level. Thank you
Review of Untitled
Absolutely stunning print!
Review of Sierra
much better than rxpected. the print is high quality and the packaging professional
Review of La Nascita
print looks fabulous! super happy with it!
Review of Out of the Dark
the presentation when I received this was everything and perfect. First time purchasing from AA but very impressed with all the attention to detail from the glove placement to packaging.
Review of Guardian
I’m so happy I was able to purchase this piece for my husband. The quality is top notch and just looks beautiful. Communication with you all has been so easy. Thanks so much!
Review of Descendent - Lucid Dreamer

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