I like drawing "Body landscapes" which combine anatomical charts with "Shunga" wood block prints. 

  We have a body which is full of the mystery of life. The question, "Who are we?" caused me to study anatomy and dissection. Anatomy still influences my work as does Shunga' s erotica, energy, life and sex an iconography of life. Having seen so many dissected bodies in university. I began to create an art form which embodies life and death.

  My work is done with natural pigments and glue, called "Nihonga" and ink on Japanese paper. The fluidity of ink and natural pigments allow me to spatialize different morphological elements. When I use ink (Sumi) I also paint myself and use my body to create works on "Washi". The combination of life, sex & death becomes like a mandala symbolizing  the  eternity of life rather than its ephemeral nature.

Michiyo Kamei

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