ZHONG CHENG

Zhong Cheng 2024 Autumn Auction「Modern And Contemporary Art」

  • Zhong Cheng 2024 Autumn Auction「Modern And Contemporary Art」
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    Miwa Komatsu (b.1984)

    The Leader

    2019

    Acrylic on Canvas
    46 x 53 cm

    Signed on the reverse: Miwa Komatsu in Kanji and Komiwa in English, dated 2019

    Estimate TWD 700,000-900,000
    USD 21,900-28,200
    HKD 0-0

    Hammer Price TWD 0
    USD 0
    HKD 0

Provenance：

Illustrated：

Exhibition：

Exposition：

Miwa Komatsu, born in 1984 in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, grew up surrounded by mountains steeped in ancient mythology. Reflecting on her childhood, Komatsu once shared, "I know it may sound unbelievable to many, but whenever I got lost on my way home, 'Mr. Mountain Dog' would appear to guide me." She had always believed this creature was a Japanese wolf, though her mother reminded her that Japanese wolves were long extinct. Nevertheless, she was certain that this mysterious "Mr. Mountain Dog" was a real presence in her life.

As she grew older, Komatsu began to realize that only she could see Mr. Mountain Dog. Once, she even spotted him at school, but noticed there were no footprints. When she called out, he vanished, leaving her to ponder what she was truly experiencing. With a deep love for nature, she often ventured into forests, sensing a powerful, spiritual force. She came to understand that these guardian creatures were not unique to Japan but existed across cultures—not as gods, but as divine guardians.

"I can’t paint gods, but I can paint guardian beasts, and I can use my art to connect people with their presence," she explained in an interview. Her works are not merely products of imagination but rather visual records of her personal encounters. These guardians, reminiscent of legendary Japanese spirits, are visions she claims to have seen, captured to convey a sense of spiritual connection. From a young girl with a love for drawing to an artist sharing the spirit of Mr. Mountain Dog with the world, Komatsu’s art invites viewers into her unique realm of sensitivity and mysticism.

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