_Black and white, circles, drips, geometric, minimalist, abstract, contrast_

BIOGRAPHY

Born in the mountains north of Tokyo in Gumma Prefecture, Japan, **Kiyoshi Otsuka** studied in Paris at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. Stimulated by the encouragement of Akiyama, a sculptor friend and mentor, Otsuka moved to New York and enrolled at the Art Student's League. There, he studied with Knox Martin. Recently he has worked in his studio at Arts Westchester landmark building in White Plains. His work has been exhibited in galleries in New York, London, Pennsylvania and Japan. Otsuka's paintings are included in private collections in New York, Washington D.C., Rio, Tokyo, and Paris.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My acrylic abstractions develop directly from experience of the landscape. I grew up in the mountains in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. And I have worked in Propagation for The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY which has been a pivotal influence. The organic forms of roots and trees, shrubs and flowers, water and weather provide inspiration. Water is the elemental aspect/concept of my work. Water provides nourishment through roots, and the intensity of roots energy is powerful. I aim to express this power through my paintings. Water is my medium with acrylic paint. And a liquidity is often evident in some of my very abstract pieces. I recycle my own "ancient" paintings and these layers of experience meet with the immediate act of painting to accomplish deep color and space, and a tangible impression of natural form. I work with both a black and white as well as colorful palette to explore nature in an abstract arena. The images I present here speak to the beauty, intensity, and mystery of nature and our deep connection to its ever evolving and transformative power.

_Gallery wrapped canvas sides painted grey. Framing optional. Painting measures 32 in (height) x 56 in (width) x 1.25 in (deep) unframed._