Nice

The palm trees were impressive. They have the same lifespan as humans. November was rainy, just like December when Matisse moved to Nice 100 years ago. Matisse was disappointed by the rain and only worked from the hotel. I stayed at the same hotel as him and thought I’d draw the scenery from the window, but what I could see from the window was the courtyard. Masanao Hirayama

Born in Kobe in 1976, Masano Hirayama is a painter, drawer and performer based in Tokyo. His works are filled with black lines which, despite their simplicity, stimulate our consciousness or recognition. Masanao Hirayama, formerly known as HIMAA, says that he is not depicting specific objects but lets the viewer see what he/she wants to. Although his lines look like they are drawn with his intuition, he carefully draws the same image over and over again until he can eliminate his intention and the line becomes unconscious.