Track [n] by Julie Hayashi

Julie Hayashi created her work using a traditional Japanese painting technique called Nihonga.
She uses natural pigments mixed with animal glue and painted on Japanese paper.

Track [n] consists of four layers of different paintings.
The bottom layer is made of canvas for the first time.
Three layers of Japanese paper are then placed on top.
The papers are not completely combined; rather, they only adhere to the four edges.
This creates airy spaces between the layers, giving the paper its own soft texture. Having learnt about the conservation of old Japanese artworks, Julie uses those skills in my works.

Julie has always placed importance on incorporating sound and air into my works. Currently, she is exploring the theme of ‘noise’ in her work.
Noise, which originally should be avoided, is inherently present in the natural world.

In the modern age, where we try to make everything clear and orderly, she believes that sensitivity to the ambiguous and subtle things that appear by chance will be an important element for people in the future to seek their humanity and to be aware of their connection with the natural world.

The title 'Track [n]' refers to the sound she has created as a pictorial work, the 'n' representing the unknowability of this series that she's currently exploring, and the room for the sound of the work to change freely for each viewer.

When she paints or looks at a painting, she senses sound in the colours and brushstrokes. She layers the different Japanese papers with the image of layering memory, air and sound.

Julie is currently in a 10-month residency in Europe based in the UK, funded by a grant from a private foundation in Japan.
So far, she stayed and exhibited in Germany and Paris, and will hold a solo exhibition in London in January.