ISEKI

Iseki means ruins or archaeological remains in Japanese, suggesting a composition centered on a historical site, possibly ancient temple foundations, stone pagoda remnants, or the remnants of a castle or garden structure. Within Nishijima's practice, this represents a slightly unusual subject — the persistence of stone and earthwork rather than wooden architecture — but one that shares the same concern with historical continuity and the passage of time. The composition likely contrasts weathered stone surfaces, moss-covered and broken, against a background of trees or contemporary vegetation that has reclaimed the site. The technical treatment of textured stone surfaces through multiple carved and inked blocks would demand close attention to tone and surface variation, distinguishing aged granite or volcanic tuff from surrounding organic growth.