Ayumi Takahashi: I, You, Me

Ayumi Takahashi, I You Me, 2016, Installation view, Photography courtesy of Duplex Gallery.

The vacant expressions of mysterious characters make up Ayumi Takahashi’s array of portraits in her exhibition “I, you, me” at Duplex Gallery. The character’s stories are told through planes of joyful colors and whimsical patterns.

Ayumi Takahashi, Milada, acrylic gouache on wood, 2015, images courtesy of the artist.

Ayumi Takahashi, Mona, acrylic gouache on wood, 2015, images courtesy of the artist.

Ayumi Takahashi, Lane, acrylic gouache on wood, 2015, images courtesy of the artist.

Takahashi’s background in illustration informs her work in this series of portraits. She stepped away from the representational quality of illustration by cutting and cropping and focusing on pattern and color as a form of abstraction. She creates abstracted shapes to form the patterns in each character’s portrait. Her pattern making usually takes shape in the background or in the character’s clothing. Patterns are Takahashi's way of telling stories.

Ayumi Takahashi, Daily Paintings, gouache on paper, 2015, images courtesy of the artist.

Her pattern making is deeply connected to her textile work which includes a history of scarf making. The fabric designs have very similar patterns to those worn by the people in her paintings. Her fabric work has taken a back seat while she has focused on her work as an artist. I look forward to seeing how Takahashi uses fabric in the future or if she will combine the two practices.

Ayumi Takahashi, Artist interview, image courtesy of Duplex Gallery.

Takahashi is inspired by the emotional reaction people have towards color. Overall, she is driven by the mood of the color palette she chooses for the paintings. The bright and joyful color palette starkly contrasts the vacant expressions and mysterious edge to the characters in her paintings. This is the contrast that draws me to her work. I could stare at each portrait for hours trying to piece together the character’s story. Takahashi presents a wide variety of portraits and each is a vastly different character from the next. They are all connected through her style of pattern and color.

Ayumi Takahashi, Daily Paintings, gouache on paper, 2015, images courtesy of the artist.

 When you go to the Gallery make sure to check out her artist book, Are You Me. The book serves as Takahashi’s portfolio, including her illustration and textile work. The book is one of the most creative artist books I have seen lately with intricate folds, flips, and planes of patterns throughout.

"I, You, Me"-Ayumi Takahashi
January 7th, 2016
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Duplex Gallery
219 NW Couch Street,
Portland, OR