Kokage (木陰), the shadow beneath a tree. A sheltered place where the light becomes softer and the colors of the forest draw closer together. The warmth of the earth, the muted green of leaves, a glow that lingers among the shadows. In this painting, I seek that earthy silence. Where Komorebi evokes the filtered light through a canopy, Kokage represents the tranquility beneath it.
The Color Palette
For this piece, I chose a palette that connects earth and shelter: muted olive green as an enveloping color, with warm pink-brown tones, soft dusty pink, and subtle shades of gray in the elongated field of color. Not all nuances are immediately visible, but they live within the work. The soft vertical transitions are reminiscent of shadows and warm remnants of light between tree trunks. Not a literal depiction of a forest, but the feeling of pausing for a moment beneath the canopy.
Technique & Material
Painted with acrylic paint on panel, built up layer by layer. The surface has a subtle texture that looks different in changing light. The clean composition with the elongated field of color is inspired by the Japanese aesthetic of ma, the power of empty space that envelops everything. The olive-green outer surface gives the warmer nuances in the center room to come to their full effect.
A Floating Effect on the Wall
For these paintings, I have developed my own hanging system. The 3 cm wooden block on the back keeps the panel straight and parallel to the wall, with space between the painting and the wall. This makes the work appear to float and creates a spatial 3D effect.
The back is also part of the work: I have painted it Prussian blue. In combination with the distance from the wall, this creates a deep, dark shadow effect that gives the painting extra dimension. Thus, not only the painted front, but also the space behind it contributes to the experience of the work.
Specifications
Size: 40 × 20.5 cm
Material: Acrylic paint on panel
Hanging system: Original design with a 3 cm wooden spacer
Back: Painted in Prussian blue
Unique original: Hand-signed by Jordy Koumans
Delivery & Collection
This work is available in two ways:
Collection in Tilburg: personal collection at my studio in Carré, Tilburg.
Shipping: carefully packed and shipped with insurance, worldwide.
Includes certificate of authenticity.
