Steven Gregory

Description

Gregory's formidable bronze warrior follows a maquette of the piece, both of which were intricately hand cut by the artist. The sculpture was inspired by a Japanese woodblock print by Torii Kiyomasu II of the great 18th century Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo. Ebizo is shown in the role of Kagekiyo, a retainer of the noble Taira clan, who vowed revenge on their rivals, the Minamoto, after the Battle of Dannoura in 1185.

The grimacing actor is shown in a whirling frenzy, arms akimbo, and his elaborate costume is bristling with ritual adornments. Samurai Warrior stands silhouetted against the horizon like a drawing in the sky, perpetually hovering between two and three dimensions. Poised on one leg, it is ever ready to attack or, as in the traditional Japanese myth of the magic brush, in which the paintings come to life, spin into our reality. It towers over the viewer and this lends it a dimension of awe. The intricate, decorative cutting of the actor's bronze sword and other accoutrements lends the figure great expressive power. The Samurai accosts the viewer with an unmistakably challenging gesture. With his weight falling on the back of the right hand heel and his left knee raised to waist height, Samurai Warrior is caught in a moment of heightened movement. Almost as though performing a ritual dance, the figure, who ought to be laden down under the bulk of his costume moves with ease and grace. The fact that this is not a representation of a warrior at all but of an actor furthers the intricacy of the piece.