Shusaku Arakawa

1936 - 2010

Shusaku Arakawa's interdisciplinary background in mathematics, medicine, and art allowed him to approach art in a unique and philosophical way. His use of diagrams within his paintings as philosophical propositions reveals his interest in the relationship between art, language, and thought. By transforming the usual constancies of orientation into a strange game, Arakawa challenges the viewer's perception and encourages them to think through their eyes. His work has been described as transcending human limitations and being the most philosophical of contemporary art.

Despite his acclaim, Arakawa remained an eternal outsider and refused to be limited by any particular style or movement. He believed that painting was only an exercise and saw himself as a "abstractionist of the distant future." Arakawa's artistic vision was deeply rooted in his fascination with the intersection between art and philosophy, and his work continues to inspire and challenge viewers to think beyond traditional boundaries.