Chaos (1983) at Minneapolis Institute of Art

 

Ippodo Gallery is pleased to announce the forthcoming opening of Chaos: Ken Matsubara's Buddhist Masterwork at the Minneapolis Institute of Art from September 2, 2023 to March 10, 2024. 

Ken Matsubara's works have shown exclusively with Ippodo Gallery in the USA since 2016, and we continue to promote new advancements in his paintings for admirers worldwide. Magnificent byoubu screens, the lastest in Matsubara's long and distinguished painting career, will grace Ippodo Gallery's Upper Eastside exhibits during Asia Week in March 2024. 

 

 

The Minneapolis Institute of Art brings together two Buddhist paintings in a special exhibition; the antique Taima Mandala and Chaos (1983)  by contemporary artist Ken Matsubara. A clear message relating to the core tennants of Buddhist arises from such a powerful pairing: as the viewer follows the niga byakudōzu—the white road bisecting the transient forces of earthly burdens—past the rivers of water (attachments and greed) and fire (anger and hatred), the untarnished world of the mandala emerges. 

 

 

 

Ken Matsubara's works fill the atmosphere with energy, but it frenetic chaos or scerene meditations. One characteristic theme of his works is “sound” which is expressed through a round motif to emulate the ringing of a metal bowl. An exquisite vibrationreverberates through the cosmos, so that the spirit of Matsubara comes to life and beacons viewers to enter the picture alongside him. 

 

 

 The Taima Mandala (14th Century), on view at CHAOS: Ken Matsubara's Buddhist Masterwork at Minneapolis Institute of Art. Credit: MIA.