L38 A Drop in the River | Painting
A Drop in the River | Taiga no itteki | 大河の一滴
Painting by Sanae Sakamoto
50 x 70 cm
Every person is just a drop
in the great river (Taiga)
– Zen saying
Life is marked by joy, but also
by suffering and fear. If we do not give up,
a ray of light will come unexpectedly.
The large stones symbolise obstacles.
The pine tree symbolises endurance and strength.
Mixed media on canvas
Tao and Zen - Sanae Sakamoto. Exhibition from September 18, 2025 to March 21, 2026
Sanae Sakamoto creates a refreshing artistic language with powerful brushstrokes. Born in Tokyo and living in Switzerland since 1971, the artist combines the profundity of Japanese calligraphy with the virtuosity of Western painting in her work. Trained in Tokyo and Beijing, she transforms Zen Buddhist and Taoist wisdom into expressive compositions. Her works range from large-format, expressive pieces to delicate paintings and intimate calligraphy, with black ink – occasionally complemented by shades of gold, blue or green – remaining her central means of expression. Each of her paintings invites viewers to encounter an art that transcends cultural boundaries.
