The Work Series II

Ledgers

Painted directly onto washi paper from Meiji-era Japanese loan ledgers. The printed columns still carry their original entries: 信用, credit; 拾圓, ten yen; the due date, the interest. Across them move courtesans, scholars, fans and chrysanthemums, an inventory of beauty laid over an inventory of debt. Related works carry the same idea onto eighteenth-century American newspapers.

Untitled (Rickshaw), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Rickshaw)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Chrysanthemums and Peony), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Chrysanthemums and Peony)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Woman with Fan), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Woman with Fan)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Figure in a Pink Hat), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Figure in a Pink Hat)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Red Plum), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Red Plum)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Figures in Top Hats), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Figures in Top Hats)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Red Fan), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Red Fan)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Elephant), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Elephant)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Pipe, Lamp and Coat), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Pipe, Lamp and Coat)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Green Gown), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Green Gown)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Figures with Silk Borders), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Figures with Silk Borders)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Vessels, Bats and Frogs), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Vessels, Bats and Frogs)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (Figure on Red, 我知), ink and gouache on meiji-era japanese ledger paper — Untitled (Figure on Red, 我知)Ink and gouache on Meiji-era Japanese ledger paper

Untitled (The Salem Gazette), gouache, ink and collage on antique newspaper — Untitled (The Salem Gazette)Gouache, ink and collage on antique newspaper

Untitled (Columbian Centinel), gouache, ink and collage on antique newspaper — Untitled (Columbian Centinel)Gouache, ink and collage on antique newspaper

Untitled (Traveler in a Yellow Robe), ink and color on paper — Untitled (Traveler in a Yellow Robe)Ink and color on paper