It took more than three years to complete, but just last month, artist Manabu Ikeda unveiled the 13 x 10 foot “Rebirth” at Chazen Museum of Art in Madison, Wis. Inspiration for the piece came from the effects of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The event, known as the Great East Japan Earthquake, was responsible for nearly 16,000 deaths, more than 6,000 injured and thousands missing. Hundreds of thousands were also displaced from their homes. The artist was last featured on HiFructose.com in this interview.
“Rebirth” shows both the enormity of the earthquake and tsunami and the effects on a personal level, as the hyper-detailed work carries emotion and depth at every corner of the piece.Details reveal road signs, homes, citizens, absolute devastation, and perseverance. Ikeda crafted this piece in a basement studio at the museum, working 10 hours a day. The artist had to use his other hand during one part of the process, as a ski accident dislocated his shoulder. The artist works with acrylic ink and pen.
Photographer/filmmaker Clayton Adams documented the progress of the piece, and you can see a video of that process below.
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Manabu Rebirth from Clayton Adams on Vimeo.
Japanese artist