Join me for my first-ever art session, in which I attempt to create an action painting, inspired by Kazuo Shiraga!

Today is the birthday of the late Japanese postwar artist Kazuo Shiraga. Born on August 12th, 1924, he would have been 97 years old. Shiraga was born in the industrial city of Amagasaki, near Osaka, where he lived all his life.

Shiraga was one of the most important members of the Gutai movement in postwar Japan, which focused on the body interacting with artwork; gu meaning “tool” and tai meaning “body”. His fellow artists threw bottles of paint and ran through paper screens.

Shiraga joined the group in 1955. He was known for his action paintings, which involved suspending himself and painting with his feet. Initially, Shiraga found inspiration from the works of American artist Jackson Pollock. In 1971, Shiraga became a Buddhist monk, and continued his action paintings, embracing the spiritual aspect of his meditative works.

The Gutai movement proceeded Arte Povera and Fluxus. The group also anticipated the concept of happenings, as well as performance and conceptual art. The group has gained increasing attention in the West in recent years.