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<    THREE MYSTIC APES   >
The Triptych See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, is a modern interpretation of the well-known proverbial principle, sometime referred to as the Three Mystic Apes. It is through this group that Andy combines the past with narratives from the present.

The inspiration for these paintings originated from a 17th century carving of The Mystic Apes placed over a door whilst visiting the famous Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Japan. They are known in Japan as the Golden Rule; 
                  
                                                       “Look not at what is contrary to propriety,
                                                        Listen not to what is contrary to propriety,
                                                        Speak not what is contrary propriety”.


The three paintings re-interpret these proverbs towards social issues the artist witnessed while reading and travelling in Japan. These are general themes found in any industrialised nation, yet are specifically focused on Japan. The three he alludes to are;

                                               Landscape Desecration (coastal tetrapods) (See)
                                               Social Isolation (technology) (Hear)
                                               Environmental Pollution (Sugi/Redwood Plantations) (Speak)

In melding his themes of past and present, all of the geishas are wearing traditional Kimonos but  in turn project contemporary themes.

LINKS TO THE TRYPTYCH
Text from "Behind the Kimono"

Picture
SEE NO EVIL
Picture
HEAR NO EVIL
Picture
SPEAK NO EVIL
 
<                              >

  • HOME
  • About Andy
  • CONTACT
  • Cityscapes
    • L.A. From the Hills
    • London Bridge to Shooter's Hill
    • Edgware Road
    • Sydney
    • Sakuta
    • Dog Walker, Tokyo
    • Twilight Osaka
    • Cherry Blossoms, Tokyo
    • Vertigo
    • Osaka City
    • Tokyo Station
    • Tokyo Umbrellas
  • Geisha Series
    • Behind the Kimono Book Forward
    • Tokyo Time
    • Osaka Time
    • Resurrection
    • Noh to Ganguro
    • Neon Nihon
    • Sakuhin
    • Cameo
    • The Three Mystic Apes
    • See no Evil
    • Hear No Evil
    • Speak no Evil
    • Hanami
    • Stardust
    • Static
    • Skulls, Cars, Gods and Stars
    • A Winter's Tale
    • Tea With Andy
    • Cityscapes Book
  • Identity Tales
    • The Grim Reaper's Game Keeper
    • Paradise Lost Series
    • Pistachios and Sparrows
    • Opening Japan
    • Dem Bones
    • Van Gogh on Expressionism
    • In Another Universe
    • Otaku Hive
    • After the Bubble
    • Imagined Spaces
    • Isolation
    • Cubist Thoughts >
      • Four Up
      • The Artist's House
      • The House We Live In
      • Plans for Simon
    • Last Train Home
  • Lockdown Walks
    • Foundlings
    • Oddments
    • Lockdown Videos
    • Lockdown Light
    • Wildlife
    • Lockdown Poems
    • Urban Philosophers
  • ESSAYS
    • Andy Warhol
    • Bubble Artists of Japan
    • Who are the Hikikomori?
    • Christiania
  • Photography
    • Cityscapes
    • Gardens
    • Aquarium