Paul Binnie

Scottish, b. 1967

Cranes
(Kuren)

with artist's seal BINNIE at upper left corner, Japanese title in kanji, Kuren, blind-printed in upper left margin, numbered and signed in pencil on the bottom margin 29/50, Paul Binnie, ca. 2016

hosoban 13 by 6 in., 33.1 by 15.1 cm

Rather than the birds of the same name that are more traditionally depicted in Japanese art, Binnie plays on the theme with silhouettes of construction of cranes against a hazy setting sun beneath the twilight sky with darkening clouds. This particular type of hydraulic crane is commonly seen around Tokyo (and other booming metropolises in Japan).

The cranes of the design are based on the Jib Climbing Crane (JCC) of IHI Transport Machinery Co., Ltd., a Japanese heavy machinery firm. Recent models of the JCC were used to build the Tokyo Metropolitan City Hall and the Yokohama Landmark Tower.

(inv. no. C-1095)

price: $350