SUMI
The Japanese SUMI-E literally means 'black ink painting', “sumi” being “black ink”, and “e” being “painting”. It indicates one of the art forms in which subjects are painted with black ink in all possible gradations ranging from pure black to the lightest shades achievable by dissolving ink in water. However, this does not mean that everything painted in this way deserves to be called sumi-e.
Real sumi-e must correspond to typical features, such as simplicity and spontaneity that directly strike the viewers’ sensibility. In order for a painting to be “alive”, all its components must be alive. This type of painting already includes the sketch; there is no need for preparation, as in traditional painting; any superfluous form or detail is left out.
This way of painting was introduced into Japan by Zen monks and it then became rapidly successful because in this painting-method, as in Zen practice, reality is expressed by reducing it to its pure, bare form. Touch-ups, additions and decorations do not enhance a work, but rather hide its true nature.
I have long admired the beautiful simplicity of this style of art, and on my first few visits to Japan and China, found myself looking for compositions that reflected that inner sense of peace. The practice grew within me and as I worked in other countries; Mozambique, France, even Iceland, I kept falling back on the principals of Sumi-e to create photographs that simply felt right, and reflected the peace I felt when working in those environments.
Here are just a few of those photographs.
