Celestial Guardian No. 3 [Gardien céleste no 3]

Norman Takeuchi is an Ottawa based painter and draftsman who is known for his refined color sense. Completed in 2009, Celestial Guardian No. 3 is an example of Takeuchi’s work that marks a turn towards his exploration of his heritage and dual identity as a Japanese Canadian, following an earlier focus on abstraction. Inspired by the traditional Japanese woodblock print technique, the painting features two Japanese figures in the background, who appear protected by the celestial guardian in the foreground, while dark abstract swirls in the middle evoke a sense of uneasiness.