WABI-SABI by Damien Drew is loosely translated as the contemplation of the transient, understated beauty of the modest, imperfect, ephemeral or decaying. Drew’s exhibition expresses this notion through his unique perspective of modern day Japan. He carefully observes the melancholy beauty of the many towns and villages that have now become neglected and invites the viewer to consider beauty in the impermanence of all things, capturing and contrasting scenes and details that may be inconspicuous or overlooked.
“We do not dislike everything that shines, but we do prefer a pensive lustre to a shallow brilliance, a murky light that, whether in a stone or an artefact, bespeaks a sheen of antiquity. We love things that bear the marks of grime, soot, and weather, and we love the colours and the sheen that call to mind the past that made them.”
– From Jun’ichiro Tanizaki, ‘In Praise of Shadows’ 1933
Damien Drew is also an award-winning Art Director and Production Designer whose feature film credits include Alien Covenant, Superman Returns, Star Wars, The Great Gatsby and The Matrix films.
Venue: Black Eye Gallery
Location: 3/138 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
5 Sep – 24 Sep, 2017
blackeyegallery.com.au
damiendrew.com
