This painting depicts a row of tires on a brick or tiled surface strewn with pebbles and a few sticks. Though the work is representational (as its title suggests), it is not clear what, precisely, it portrays. Its dark palette and claustrophobic composition convey a vague yet unmistakable sense of foreboding and oppression. The unusual shape of the canvas further emphasizes the peculiarity of the image and its disorienting effect, while also suggesting the viewer’s immersion within the scene. This rare example of Kawara's early work in Tokyo presents a stark contrast to his well-known and ongoing TODAY series, begun in 1966—meticulously rendered monochrome canvases bearing only the dates of their making.
Gallery label from 2009.
