I recently added a new piece to my art collection during a visit to nuunu in Kyoto: a striking minimalist painting by Japanese artist Kyoko Matsumoto. This artwork captivated me with its simplicity and depth. Originally published by the artist on June 1, 2021, the piece is a beautiful exploration of form and emotion.
The Painting
The painting is a study in minimalism, featuring a single lowercase “i.” To the left, three smaller vertical strokes echo the main form, adding a subtle rhythm to the composition. In the top right corner, a red stamp with Japanese characters—likely the artist’s seal—adds a traditional touch. The overall effect is one of quiet elegance, where every element feels deliberate and meaningful. The simplicity of the design draws you in, inviting you to find depth in its restraint.
Artist’s Motivations
Kyoko Matsumoto shared her thoughts about this piece in a post on June 1, 2021, which she titled the “day of ‘i’.” She wrote:
“On June 1st, ‘I’ It starts with a single line, at an exquisite timing ✨ The feeling of standing quietly and delicately, with a sense of depth… Both people and objects, their presence speaks volumes. A slightly emotional start to June ( ◠‿◠ )”
Her words reflect a deep appreciation for the power of simplicity. Matsumoto sees the single line of the “i” as a symbol of presence, capturing a delicate and emotional essence. For her, the act of creating this piece was about distilling meaning into a single form, allowing its quiet presence to evoke a sense of depth and emotion. This approach aligns with her broader practice, where she creates rough sketches and experimental works as a foundation for more refined pieces, as noted in the artist background provided at nuunu Kyoto.
Why I Bought It
What drew me to this piece was the fascinating cultural interplay it represents. As a Westerner, I’ve often noticed how Western artists are captivated by Japanese characters, seeing them as exotic and inherently artistic. Yet here, Kyoko Matsumoto, a Japanese artist from Fukuoka, turns that dynamic on its head by finding beauty in the letter “i”—a form so simple and familiar to us in the West. This inversion struck me deeply. It’s a reminder of how we often find beauty in what feels exotic to us, whether it’s a Westerner admiring the elegance of kanji or a Japanese artist exploring the quiet grace of a Latin letter. This piece, in its minimalist glory, bridges those perspectives, showing how simplicity can resonate across cultures in unexpected ways.
Matsumoto’s work now holds a special place in my collection, a testament to the universal language of art and the beauty we find in the unfamiliar.