Tomoko Shichiri Solo Exhibition “Scooping Light” Light always contains darkness, and darkness always contains light. They embrace each other. I feel this way when I look at Tomoko Shichiri’s recent works, which seem to be getting darker or glowing darkly. The paintings remind me of the alluring illusionism of European paintings of the late 19th century. It is as if a fresh darkness, into which the light has dug into and explored, has been scooped up by the wet hand of the light. It recalls to me the prose-like impressionism (painting of light) that ran parallel to the poetic paintings of the late 19th century. While reducing the brightness, Shichiri’s paintings, too, are beginning to breathe poetry more deeply. (Exhibition Planner: Hiroshi Okura)