Ozabu only uses pencil and graphite in her startling figurative works on paper, using elegant linework and subtle iconography in mysterious minimalist pieces. The Japanese artist is self-taught, and the artist’s long fascination with birds comes through in how figures are accompanied by and are overtaken by winged creatures.
“Aesthetically inspired by the visual cultures and mythologies of Japan, Ozabu’s emotive figurative drawings often incorporate animal symbolism and references to the natural world,” a statement with Thinkspace says. “Preferring to allow the work to speak for itself, Ozabu often avoids comment on her imagery, hoping the viewer will shape personal readings themselves. Sensual, dark, and at times ominous, the open-ended works reveal moments of a larger narrative and plot beyond the frame.”
See more of the artist’s work below.
