Discover the finest art in TRIBAL, ASIAN, ORIENTAL ART Spanning civilisations across the ages and continents, thoughtfully curated collections share timeless stories and reflects the beauty of human creativity.

Abstract Spirituality This exhibition brings together artworks which embody ‘abstract spirituality’ from different places and times. Over the centuries, artists from numerous cultures have strove to express transcendental ideas via physical forms through their relentless creative endeavours, connecting mankind with spirit. It is not surprising therefore that many have chosen an artistic idiom of abstraction to materialise the metaphysical concept of spirituality. A case in point is the Japanese post-war artist Suda Kokuta (1906-1990). Realising the essence of Eastern philosophy and Zen is not something of concrete form, he produced abstract paintings from the 1950s to the 70’s in an attempt to express this intangible universe. The same can be said of many works produced by artists form Africa, Oceania and other parts of Asia. In presenting them side by side, we hope to convey how abstraction and spirituality are universal: the powerful, inspiring works shown here create a dialogue which transcends time and space.

The year 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the artist’s death. Celebrating this special year, we are presenting a virtual solo exhibition of Suda Kokuta (1906-1990), one of the most important post-war artists of Japan. Realising the Zen philosophy is the epitome of abstraction, Suda expressed its inner world by painting abstract works for over 20 years, from 1949 to 1970. The selected pieces in this show presented by Gregg Baker Asian Art represent the height of his artistic expression. Decades after his passing, the energy and vibration imbued in these powerfully spiritual works still continues to captivate the viewer today.

Suda Kokuta (1906-1990) was one of the leading founders of Avant-garde abstract painting, an important area of Japanese art which have been largely ignored until recent years and is currently being rediscovered by art lovers across the globe. An influential and independent artist he was closely associated with many important figures and art groups such as Yoshihara Jiro, Yuichi Inoue, the Bokujinkai and the Gutai. One is immediately struck by the strength of Kokuta’s compositions, the density of colours and the innovative textures used however finally it is the strong meditative force and sense of spirituality which lingers in the viewer’s mind. Far from being secondary works or simple preparatory sketches for his larger oil paintings Kokuta’s works on paper are mature and complete works of art which reveal an intensity imbued by their creator. Known to have a strong belief in Zen, Kokuta is said to have meditated before launching his assault upon the canvas, adding or removing gesso mixed with oil, not hesitating to sew the hessian sacks together to form a strong base for his chosen medium and experimenting with the application of sand, shards of quartz and various tools to add texture. This same spirit and attention to detail follows through into his works on paper where he fights with thick washi paper, giving each sheet an individual character, achieving three-dimensional space and unexpected reliefs. This dynamic creative process includes beating and scoring the paper, making it the martyred support of an artist in full transcendence, ready to transpose Kokuta’s every creative or destructive impulse. Each carefully crafted work is a perfectly balanced composition of abstract form which appears via a broad palette of thinly or densely applied gouache, embellished with silver or aluminium powder, rough sand and glistening mica giving the simple washi sheet a new dimension to captivate the eye of the spectator.