Hungry Ghost/Oni pieces continue to emerge. There’s big energy behind these works even though the scale has remained small. The four images below are new ones. I’m excited by the unexpected visual inventiveness and playfulness. I intended to confront my fears and explore the Shadow and Darkness. Who knew so much humor and play lurked there along with the scary stuff?

So. Some good news. Three of the pieces have been included in a juried exhibit, Hungry Ghosts, sponsored by the Asian American Women Artists Association in San Francisco. Would love to see you at the Opening Reception on April 2. (Details in the Upcoming Events Column to the right.) Seeing the work in person adds a depth and resonance to the viewing experience that is special and unique. You would also have the opportunity to see the concept of Hungry Ghosts interpreted by other Asian American artists in different media.

AAWAA requested an Artist’s Statement to be used for wall text. I’ve included it below. It expands on what I’ve written for the introduction to the Hungry Ghost/Oni gallery in my website, and includes an element about some of the responses to the work which have been very meaningful to me.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT
KAREN NAGANO

In my Hungry Ghost/Oni series of mixed medium paintings, I extend an openness of heart, mind and hand to the repressed, neglected, cast-out aspects of myself which haunt the netherworld between wake and sleep. For many years, I reacted to the energies of this Shadow Self as enemies to my happiness and well-being. As I began to extend compassion to myself and to all the energies within me, the netherworld that I had feared and resisted began to give form to itself. Through the expression of these energies, I discovered that rather than undermine or destroy happiness and well-being, given freedom and the acceptance to exist, a surge of energy and life and creativity was released. I felt whole and happy.

In addition to the sense of wholeness and heightened sense of aliveness and creativity, the gifts of the Hungry Ghost/Oni work include the connection and community it brings. Some people like them because they like them. They respond to the humor and playfulness and bright color. Others have said they feel healing after viewing my Hungry Ghosts. They feel less alone. They feel strengthened and more buoyant. They like the visual inventiveness and the ability to see something scary and yet also experience amusement and light-heartedness. I’m very grateful for those responses. The meaning and effect the work gives to others provides me a sense of completeness that is beyond words.

Please enjoy these new images. Would love to hear your thoughts and feelings.

Contact me through my website, www.karennagano.com.

And if you’d like to enliven and brighten the dark areas of your soul or just add more creativity and play to your environment, contact me through my website for purchase information, www.karennagano.com.

As usual, I am working on more than one thing at a time. Sketchbook, studies, Lady M, back burner/front burner. Sensing an interaction among the different series. Thankful for the time and space to work in this beautiful place.