hiroshi hayakawa

Graphite and colored pencils on Bristol board, 16" x 19", 2021.

My 2nd attempt of graphite-colored pencil mixed media. I used the same wall texture I had used for the previous 2 drawings (Vanitas 22 and 25) in the background. It was not just because I really liked this wall but also because I wanted to create a "dense" drawing by filling the entire space with variety of textures and this wall was just too perfect not to use for that. The symbolism of this piece is not too difficult to decipher. There is definitely a sense of "offering" in this picture. The model's innocent look, direct gaze and her ever-so-subtle smile play an important role in this reading. But there is at least another layer of more subtle symbolism. The shape of her hand, the way it holds a peach, and the way the peaches kind of cascade down from her hand to the white cloth symbolize discharge of fluid. Either it is something purely biological or sexual is left up to the viewer's imagination. However, in this reading, the meaning of "offering" certainly acquires a different tone. What's interesting to me is the fact that I was not really thinking about that kind of symbolism when I was photographing my model for reference images, or even when I finalized the design of this drawing. The meaning revealed itself later when I started rendering peaches in color. It makes me wonder if I ever knew subconsciously that was going to happen but maybe I was keeping that as a surprise to myself? Who knows, I might find something else later about this piece that I am not aware of yet...

16th International Art Renewal Center Salon competition finalist, 2022.