Marie Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Atsuo Suzuki.

Atsuo Suzuki calls his works "Carved Paintings".
The name comes from his method of painting in which he paints many layers of acrylics on wooden panels and carves the stratiform surfaces with an engraving knife. The relationship between carving and fine art is a very important one in the development of Japanese art. Carving is essential to representatives of Japanese art and crafts such as Urushinuri and Ukiyoe. Further, carving is a process which has to be completed for these crafts.

For Suzuki's work, however, this is not merely a process. It is the last part of his work to be fulfilled after the layers of color have been painted. Suzuki's carved paintings are different from sculpture, woodcuts or print-making. His work comes into existence by engraving and by chipping away at a surface, and not by added brushwork. Atsuo Suzuki has opened up novel territory in the field of painting. Suzuki does not let the working of his mind affect the colors, the ways of carving, or the motives; rather, he puts the whole of his mind and memory into each carved spot.

The myriads of spots are the cells he is made of and at the same time, each spot reveals himself. Cells give a life form shape by gathering together. Suzuki creates his work with cell-like circles stuffed with a lot of invisible information. On the other hand, Each single piece, formed by this (process of) carving out, is created with Suzuki's own hands, and then each one draws away from him. These are definitely not unwanted pieces. They are meaningful elements in the comparison and identification of each other's existences.

In addtion, his newest works also serve to reveal his ever-changing state of mind and his own existence. The Tohoku Earthwuake and Tsunami on 11 March 2011 has had a profound impact on the artist leading him to explore the use of new and different colours.


For further information please check the artist's official website
and contact the gallery at
info@mariegallery.com