Yoko Matsumoto Creates Visual Vortexes in 'Darkness Against Nature'

White Cube New York is presenting Darkness Against Nature, a solo exhibition by Japanese artist Yoko Matsumoto. This exhibition, running from July 15 to August 30, showcases works spanning from the 1980s to the present, highlighting Matsumoto’s evolution and her commitment to pure painterly expression.

Matsumoto’s art focuses on the interplay of color and form, using a reduced palette to create immersive compositions. The title piece, “Darkness Against Nature” (1980), features a dynamic, vortex-like form surrounded by washes of blues, purples, pinks, greys, and whites. This painting exemplifies her exploration of the immaterial aspects of nature and the depths of human interiority.

Notable works like “Field of Midian” (1983) showcase swathes of vivid pink mingling with grey, blue, and purple tones, evoking vibrant landscapes. “The Mountains of Ephraim III” (1990) features deep pinks and purples emerging through cloud-like masses, highlighting her use of color to evoke subconscious emotions.

In the early 2000s, Matsumoto returned to oil painting, shifting her palette from pink to green. “Thought Circuit III” (2006) exemplifies this transition, featuring dense networks of dark charcoal, green, orange, and white marks. The exhibition also includes two new watercolors from 2024, where layers of pigment create nebulous forms, adding another dimension to her exploration of space and time.

Head to White Cube New York’s website for more information.

White Cube New York
1002 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10075