ICONS OF THE RISING SUN (GUARDIAN OF TRADITION)

 

Icons of the Rising Sun: Guardian of Tradition, acrylic on canvas, 2024. 16.5" X 24"

This 4-part series commemorates the 70th anniversary of Japan's beloved Godzilla franchise and fuses the fame of the so-called "King of the Monsters" with the popularity of Japanese culture. Both these icons have become extremely well-known worldwide. In 2015, the character Godzilla itself was granted citizenship and appointed as the tourism ambassador for Tokyo's Shinjuku district.

Part 2 of the series focuses on the Heisei era, which in the Godzilla franchise encompasses the late 1980s to the early 1990s. In the painting, the 1985 version of Godzilla (as depicted in the film The Return of Godzilla) is seen near a volcano that spews out gold "lava" and koban coins, the scene being a reference to the film's climax set near Mount Mihara, an active volcano on the Japanese isle of Izu Ōshima. The gold "lava" is also a reference to kintsugi (golden joinery), where broken objects are repaired using lacquer mixed with powdered gold. Gold has a rich history and cultural significance in Japan, symbolizing wealth, power and divine connection. The historical connection between Japan and gold is a testament to the country’s rich artistic heritage.

Traditional Japanese folk art is the other focus in the painting. The folk art depicted in the painting include koinobori (fish windsocks); a Daruma doll; a torii gate/archway and the Maneki-neko (also known as the "Chinese" lucky cat).

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