Light on the Broken Rocks by Christian Halna du Fretay is a unique piece created on Japanese shikishi board, a traditional surface valued for its fine texture and rigid support. This painting is part of the Contemporary Shikishi Art Project, an initiative by Art San Gallery that explores the possibilities of contemporary abstraction on shikishi board. This choice of medium enhances the tactile interaction between acrylic paint and the surface, allowing for layered brushstrokes, gestural movement, and a distinct material presence.
Unlike conventional landscape painting, this work does not rely on linear perspective but instead constructs space through color and texture. The shikishi board’s absorbent surface enables a dynamic range of techniques, from thin washes to bold, opaque layers, reinforcing the sense of depth, movement, and shifting light across the landscape.
The painting’s color palette is both expressive and atmospheric. Cool blues, purples, and soft pinks blend into earthy greens, deep reds, and ochres, reflecting the fluid nature of geological formations. Du Fretay’s composition does not depict a fixed moment but rather suggests the passage of time, where light and form continuously evolve.
His approach to figurative abstraction is evident in the way rock formations emerge and dissolve, shaped by the energy of the brushstrokes rather than rigid outlines. The use of shikishi board introduces a unique material presence, reinforcing a connection between tradition and innovation in contemporary painting. By integrating expressive acrylic technique with structural composition, Light on the Broken Rocks aligns with the mission of the Contemporary Shikishi Art Project, which invites artists to reinterpret this traditional Japanese format through experimental approaches.
For collectors, this painting represents a rare and investment-worthy piece, combining du Fretay’s signature gestural abstraction with the refined quality of shikishi board. As part of a project that redefines the role of traditional materials in contemporary art, Light on the Broken Rocks stands out as a work that bridges history and innovation, making it a valuable addition to any modern art collection.
"Light on the Broken Rocks" - Shikishi contemporary painting artwork
Original one-of-a-kind artwork by Christian Halna du Fretay.
Collage, acrylique, pencil on a traditional Shikishi made in Kyoto - Japanese paper mounted on a cardoard with a golden border of metallic paper.
Size : 24cm x 27cm (9.4 x 10.6 inches)
Signed "Du Fretay".
