Book Description
Published to coincide with a series of major exhibitions extending beyond 2007, Ascending Chaos is the first major retrospective of Japanese-American artist Masami Teraoka's prolific and acclaimed work thus far. In Teraoka's paintings which have evolved from his wry mimicry of Japanese woodblock prints to much larger and complex canvasses reminiscent of Bosch and Brueghel the political and the personal collide in a riot of sexually frank tableaux. Populated by geishas and goddesses, priests, and politicians, and prominent contemporary figures, these paintings are the spectacular next phase of a wildly inventive career. With essays by renowned art critics who discuss how Teraoka's work inventively marries east and west, sex and religion, Ascending Chaos is a critical overview of this cultural trickster. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Ascending Chaos.
Absolutely brilliant. Three erudite essays and a full showcase of reproductions of all Teraoka's work.

Enjoy the Chaos
If you've followed the career of Masami Teraoka and love his work you will also love this book.There are plenty of his earlier works all the way upto the present.The text adds insight into the mind of theartist and his complicated and original process.
The reproductions of his artwork are of good quality.It istruly a collector's item. ... Read more

Book Description
Integrating traditional imagery and subject matter with pop art, Teraoka casts contemporary issues—from AIDS to computers, environmental degradation, and drive-by shootings—in historical guise. Humor and satire combine with a vibrant iconography drawn from Japanese and Western sources—catfish, trickster, fox, ghost, snake, ninja, samurai, geisha, Adam and Eve, punk rockers, and television. Teraoka's work moves from the indulgent pleasures of ukiyo, or the "floating world" of ancient theater and pleasure houses, to a chastened consciousness of death and evil with a majestic virtuosity unique in contemporary art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lots of Series
I haven't looked at any of Masami Teraoka's other books, but I like this one because it has several different of his series in it. It has examples of the "McDonalds Invading Japan" series, the AIDS Series, the "Typhoon" Series, and more.

Waves
This book has my favorite Masami Teraoka art in it, especially the "wave" prints, and the tatooed woman with octopus. If anyone has prints of his for sale I would love to know. ... Read more