Ode to Gingko

by Mafalda Cento

Title

Ode to Gingko

Artist

Mafalda Cento

Medium

Painting - Gold Leaf

Description

“Ode to Gingko” Gold leaf & Mixed Media 24X18
This was a labor of love.
Early this year my art group (SSAGF / South Shore Artist Group & Foundation) put together an art exhibit titled “TREES: NATURE’S TREASURES”. The fundamental idea came from our group, donating 25 tree tags to the Conference House State Park, SI. The art exhibit was held in September 2022, at the historic Biddle House in the park and the theme pertain to trees and forestry.
The whole concept came to me in February and I chose to represent the Gingko leaf. During my research for this piece, I came across this article which influenced my decision-making process for this project.

“On August 6, 1945, an allied plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, creating a fireball 1,200 feet in diameter. Disaster rained down upon the city, killing an estimated 150,000 people and leveling both the biological and man-made landscape. Little was left standing, but somehow the Ginkgo trees were able to weather one of the most destructive moments in human history.

The Ginkgo tree is regarded as a symbol of hope, and prayers for peace and healthfulness have been engraved into its bark. “

My vision became ever so clear that I wanted to symbolize this painting with Asian influence. After my preliminary sketches, the process led me to the use of new materials.
The piece was created on an Ampersand hardwood board. I challenged myself, never having worked before with a combination of acrylics, gold leaf and inks.
After months of dedicated work, I was able to bring my piece to completion.

I’m very grateful to my linguistic brother Dr. Francesco Bonavita and my Japanese friend Motoko Perry who helped me with the Sumi calligraphy.
I’m very proud of this work, because I chose to do something totally out of my comfort zone.

Living a life with challenges…….. is a lived life!
Mafalda Cento

**************************************
3rd place win in the juried FAA "JAPANESE STYLE PAINTING" 12/8/2022

Uploaded

September 22nd, 2022

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