あの時1人でたのしかった / I had a Good Time All by Myself This Time
Year: 2022
Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: 194 x 259 cm (76 3/8 x 102 in.)
Acquired from Tomio Koyama Gallery, 2022
The painting is split into two halves by the blue sky and the green lawn, with birds and buildings crowded together. Contrary to the work’s title, the girl depicted in the center appears somewhat melancholy. Kudo refers to this work in her monograph, “Reborn as Air” (2022). She shares her childhood memories of visiting Hirosaki Park in Aomori prefecture with her family for cherry blossoms viewing. The park had signs that introduced the birds that could be found there, which she used as inspiration for the numerous birds depicted in the piece. Along with the birds, she paints several historic buildings that give a sense of the city of Hirosaki. Fragments of memories of living in this place where she spent her childhood overflow onto the screen.
Amidst the lively scene, the attention is drawn back to the shy expression of the girl, who features as the centerpiece. For Kudo, memories, and emotions that emerge in her mind when visiting her hometown as an adult are to be quietly cherished alone in her heart.
