Kei Imazu's warped oil paintings reimagine classical portraiture

Date
19 August 2015

The movement and fluidity in Tokyo-based Kei Imazu’s paintings is wonderful and heightened by the flurry of soft hues the artist has used. Despite working with oils, the warping Kei has added feels almost digital as though her canvases are screens melting under the weight of the paint. But there’s a smoothness and elegance to her smears that take it beyond the glitchy. Un-smudged Kei draws on classical imagery and regal-looking figures grouped together but I love how she unravels the formality of portraiture with her swooping blemishes.

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Kei Imazu: Nude colours

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Kei Imazu: Dancers

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Kei Imazu: Battle

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Kei Imazu:

Right

Kei Imazu: Echo

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Kei Imazu: Echo

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Kei Imazu: The Red List

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Kei Imazu: Standing

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About the Author

Rebecca Fulleylove

Rebecca Fulleylove is a freelance writer and editor specialising in art, design and culture. She is also senior writer at Creative Review, having previously worked at Elephant, Google Arts & Culture, and It’s Nice That.

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