Whitestone Gallery is excited to present Story Keepers: Tales and Traditions, an exhibition that celebrates the enduring influence of storytelling across Japan. Through contemporary art, the show explores themes of transformation, spirituality, and identity, offering new interpretations of traditional stories. It examines how ancient folklore has evolved and continues to resonate in the modern world.

In this context, we are thrilled to showcase the works of Yoshiaki Nakamura, whose art uniquely bridges the auditory and visual realms. The artist uses the delicate symbolism of butterflies to explore the boundaries between sound and silence, inviting viewers into a conversation about connection, perception, and emotional expression. Nakamura’s works offer a profound meditation on the fluidity of space, sound, and identity, deeply rooted in the artist's personal experiences.

Yoshiaki Nakamura “The Voice of the Butterfly in the Silent World, 4” 2024, 60.8 x 50.0 cm, Acrylic on Canvas

-  Could you explain the rationale for creating the 2 different series “The World of the Butterfly in the Silent World” and “The World of the Butterfly in the Sound World” ?

Nakamura: As my art explores the auditory and visual boundaries that exist between people, I look for ways to create mutual understanding and connection amongst them. I wanted to share the excitement and struggles I have had in my personal experience with sound, by using butterflies as a symbol of that. To me, sound resembles a butterfly, drifting between the silent (deaf) world and the sound (hearing) world. Even in the silence, sound can still overcome this auditory boundary by becoming a vibration.

Actually, I used to describe butterflies as spirits in Japanese painting until around 2018. In many cultures, butterflies are associated with souls and spirits wandering between life and the after-life. Especially in Japanese culture, they are believed to be carrying the souls of those who have passed.

The traditionally represented butterfly as a soul or spirit (between this world and the after-life) is very similar to the butterfly (between a hearing world and the silent world) floating, looking like a boat that travels in between the two realms.

Yoshiaki Nakamura “The Voice of the Butterfly in the Sound World, 3” 2024, 60.8 x 50.0 cm, Acrylic on Canvas

- The moon is almost always present in your artworks, do you feel a particular connection with the moon for it to be such a strong motif in your art? 

Nakamura: The moon has a deep spiritual meaning in Japanese culture, related to impermanence. To me, the moonlight is a gentle indication of truth on a dark night, and also a metaphor for uncertainty because the moonlight is a reflection of the sunlight (indirectly) and changes every moment.

The circle of Zen is also traditionally a universal symbol representing infinity, emptiness, space, and eternity. How everything comes from a circle and is connected to each other, I feel that there are no boundaries to connect people to this idea of Zen.

Yoshiaki Nakamura “The Voice of the Butterfly in the Sound World, 4” 2024, 162.2 x 130.5 cm, Acrylic on Canvas

- Can you ever see yourself expanding towards using colors apart from pink and red to express your dialogue between space and sound?

Nakamura: Actually, when I was originally expressing it (space and sound) in Japanese painting, I often expressed it in blue or green as a universal healing expression. When I tried to deepen my expression, I began to use red due to my strong memory of pain.

When I lived in Manhattan for a year, I could feel the color of the sound, so I temporarily began to portray various expressions. When the pain in my heart eased, and the joy of life and freedom was added, the red color softened resulting in pink. I think this was an effect brought about by synesthesia.

In addition, my colors are not expressed from cultural icons (natural, divine, or animated), but according to concepts and messages. Therefore, instead of liking pink or red, I was devising how to convey my subjective senses and emotions instead.

For example, when expressing a silent world, the response to light would be strong, thus the strong monotonous colors, and in a sound world as it was easy to respond to color, it resulted in a soft pink. The colors do not necessarily have to be red and pink, and each piece will differ depending on the expression I want to show and the change in my surrounding environments.

Whitestone Gallery Singapore

Story Keepers: Tales and Traditions invites you to explore the intersection of sound, silence, and personal experience through Yoshiaki Nakamura’s powerful use of butterfly symbolism. This exhibition reimagines ancient traditions with contemporary perspectives, offering a deep, emotional journey through themes of transformation and connection.

Join us at Whitestone Gallery to experience how art bridges the past and present, and immerse yourself in a captivating exploration of identity and spirituality. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with these thought-provoking works.

Story Keepers: Tales and Traditions