TOKIO, OSAKA AND HAKONE 

In 1986, Antoni Clavé travelled to Japan for the second time, where exhibitions of his work were organised in Tokyo, Osaka and Hakone. As on his first trip in 1972, he was fascinated by the country. During his stay, he did not make any sketches, but took photographs and shot Super 8 films, tools that he would use later. On his return to France, he gave free rein to his inspiration and grouped his creations under the title Return from Japan. Clavé combined Indian ink with his favourite techniques: oil on canvas and collage of various papers.

The entire pictorial space was transformed by the aesthetic impact of the Eastern approach to space. Clavé's collages became geometric, structured and architectural. Another characteristic feature of this series is the imprints of his name stamped with one or more Japanese seals (hankos), which he takes pleasure in covering both the glued paper or cardboard and the canvases with.