Naoshima's Art Island: Lee Ufan's Wall Murals Offer a Transcendental Experience
Naoshima, Japan, known as the 'art island,' features wall murals by artist Lee Ufan, part of his Dialogue series. These murals are painted directly onto the walls, consisting of a lozenge of grey paint transitioning from pale to dark shades. The creation process involves meticulous layering of small brushstrokes over a week, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. This method results in a deeply calming effect, reflecting a balance between human care and natural imperfection. The island, once heavily polluted and dominated by a Mitsubishi plant, was redeveloped in 1989 by billionaire Sōichirō Fukutake. It now hosts galleries designed by architect Tadao Andō, filled with extraordinary artworks by various artists, including Claude Monet and Yayoi Kusama. 
