DAISEI TERAZONO
A Master of Emotional Portraits
By Carla DLM
In a world filled with cookie-cutter art, it can be refreshing to come across an artist who truly stands out. Daisei Terazono is one such artist. A graduate of the Tokyo University of the Arts, Daisei has honed his skills to create portraits that not only represent the human form, but also the emotions that are often hidden within us. Born in 1987 in Fukuoka, Japan, Daisei was inspired by the works of Francis Bacon during his studies and has since been driven to capture the emotions of the human form in his portraits.
He seeks to portray emotions such as suffering, sadness, and pain, which are predominantly hidden from view. In his paintings, the figure standing in front of an extremely simplified background gives a sense of anxiety and loneliness. Daisei says, "Despite being blurred in terms of anonymity, the figure gives a strong sense of personality and elicits psychological anxiety as well as beauty."
Daisei's raw and bold figures have recently attracted considerable international attention, and it's easy to understand why. The way he blends form and emotion in his portraits creates a feeling of familiarity, as if the subjects are people we have all met in our lives. The emotion captured in the strokes of his brush is so powerful that it seems to seep out of the paper and into the viewer's soul.
Daisei works alongside his brother Seiichi as part of the artistic duo YOFUKURO, which means "owl" in Kagoshima dialect. Owls are considered to bring happiness in Japan, and this symbolism can be seen in the brothers' works. They paint together in a studio in Kagoshima and have exhibited their work throughout Japan and internationally. Their paintings aim to portray the truth, be it beauty or sadness, and add a specific recognizable touch inspired by Egon Schiele.
Daisei Terazono's work is a testament to the idea that art can be both beautiful and thought-provoking. He is truly a master of emotional portraits painting on paper.
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