The Time Flows In What Is Not Painted: Sensuality And Morbidity In the Engravings Of Misako Kobayashi

Metal Engraving

Misako Kobayashi (小林美佐子), born in 1985 in Kanagawa Prefecture, is an artist who stands out in the contemporary art scene for her unique and experimental approach to metal engraving. Her journey began in 2005 when she enrolled in the Women's University of Arts. It was there, in an engraving class, that she discovered her passion for this technique and decided to specialize in it under the guidance of Professor Sho Baba.

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Fig.3. 'Chronology,' Etching, Mixed Media

Fig.4. Misako Kobayashi next to her work 'Chronology ' (see figure 3)

Time And Memory

Misako Kobayashi does not limit herself to metal engraving; her curiosity and desire to innovate have led her to explore various other techniques and pictorial expressions. She is known for combining metal engraving with lithography and watercolor, creating works that transcend the traditional expectations of this art form. The combination of these techniques allows the artist to address the theme of time, exploring the intersection between the present and memory. In her works, Kobayashi seeks to capture the feeling of stopped time and flowing time, drawing inspiration from Japanese painting, which, according to her, expresses these sensations more clearly than Western painting. Regarding her work "Chronology," Misako Kobayashi comments:

“The idea of ‘the time flows in what is not painted' is a unique aspect of Japanese culture, and I took it into consideration when creating the composition. I wanted to create a metal engraving that had an interval but did not end, and time would begin on the next screen, like a folding screen or a door painting.”

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Fig.6. Light of the Deep Sea, 2014

Fig.7. Peek-a..., 2011

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Sensuality And Organic Motifs

Frequently, Misako Kobayashi uses motifs of flowers, plants, and insects in her works. These elements are not chosen solely for their natural beauty but for their ability to symbolize life, death, and decomposition. The choice of these organic motifs adds a layer of sensuality to her works, evoking the fragility and ephemerality of life.   

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