Most recently, I found inspiration in an unexpected place: Japanese taxi signs. This series of paintings is inspired by the photographs of Alexander James, as published in his book “Tokyo Taxi”.
Yotsuba Taxi Co., Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Tokyo Musen 0121, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Moon Taxi, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Kojin Taxi, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Sin Tokyo Chou, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Yamasuiro Kotsu Taxi Co., Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Gold Star Taxi Co. 08, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Clover Taxi, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Keikyu Group 0724, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Cherry Taxi Co., Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Heiwa Taxi Co., Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Nihon Kotsu Group 118, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Helix Taxi Co., Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Ebisu Taxi, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Kojin Diamond Taxi, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Wan Wan Taxi, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Pink Taxi, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Sakura Flower Taxi, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Kakinoki Taxi, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
Daiwa Taxi Co. 176, Oil on Wood Panel, 12 x 12 inches
An excerpt from Urbanization and Social Isolation Expressed thru Japanese Taxi Signs:
“In many ways, the experience of taking a taxi ride can be similar to the experience of using technology to communicate and interact with others. While technology can certainly connect us to people from all over the world, it can also feel like a solitary and disconnected experience, particularly if we are using it as a substitute for in-person social interaction. Just as using technology to communicate with others can feel transactional and devoid of social connection, a taxi ride can sometimes feel similarly isolated and disconnected, even though we may be physically surrounded by other people.”
Urbanization and Social Isolation Expressed thru Japanese Taxi Signs PDF