by Jasmine Hall, UMD Senior and Touchstone Intern
In Yoshiko Ratliff’s artwork, there exists both culture and beauty.
In her two styles, which she works on simultaneously, Ratliff explores themes of culture and nature. The first, centered around her experience being born and raised in Japan, is inspired by traditional Japanese textiles and figures. Frequently depicted are kimonos, armor, and floral patterns often associated with Japanese dress.
One work, entitled, Shōgun, is an incredibly detailed piece, with complex patterns and designs covering the figure from head to toe. These works are acrylic paint on wood panels, regularly accompanied by details of 24 karat gold leaf to add to the dimension of luxury within the image.
However, the beauty of this work wasn’t attained with ease. As hinted by the amount of fine lines and intricacies, the paintings from the Japan series are incredibly time consuming. Ratliff describes Shōgun as potentially the most difficult work she’s created. This challenge seems well worth it, as the detail was so convincing to viewers that audiences didn’t believe it was paint.
“They said ‘No, it’s mixed media. You’re using fabric!’” Ratliff remembers. “It was difficult—took a long time.”
The second of her two approaches acts as a break from this consuming level of detail, often consisting of natural subjects that are more abstract and out of scale. It’s this time away from complex, textile-inspired detail that enables Ratliff to have more freedom and to explore her interests.
“I have an obsession with microphotography,” Ratliff confesses. “Especially crystals, frost, ice, and snowflakes.” These unique textures found within up-close nature photography greatly inspire Ratliff’s work, finding its way into her work throughout its various layers and stages. “I often use these shapes and patterns for underpaintings,” she says. “Or as part of the final painting.” Ratliff uses her art to fondly reflect on her background, while also allowing it to act as a distraction.
During the pandemic, Ratliff’s mother tragically passed away from illness. Due to restrictions at the time, Ratliff was unable to see her in the hospital, undoubtedly adding to the difficulty of this loss. Her floral series works to commemorate her mother’s memory, bringing beauty to a painful subject. Sunflowers were her mother’s favorite. The bright, vibrant colors of the flowers she paints add joy to an otherwise dark time of lockdown.In 2021, in the midst of working on her floral series, Ratliff noticed the seemingly endless number of cicadas on the sidewalks, their transparent wings visible amongst the crowd of insect bodies.
“They were beautiful,” she reflects. After washing and drying these found cicada wings, Ratliff incorporated them into her artwork. “I used those wings on bees and dragonflies for my floral paintings…I have to honor their short lives.” One of her primary goals in her artistic creation is to help other people through paintings. If seeing her work is able to help someone forget their difficult situation, even for just a moment, Ratfliff would be very happy.
“I believe that art is therapy,” she states. For Ratliff, art is her way of forgetting her hardships. By allowing her to commemorate her mother and highlighting the beauty of her culture, painting gives Ratliff freedom.