Hooks-Epstein Galleries presents “Don’t Push the River,” an exhibition of graphite drawings by Mayuko Ono Gray.

Reflecting a life that is both culturally Japanese and American, Mayuko Ono Gray’s graphite drawings in "Don't Push the River" hybridize influences from traditional Japanese calligraphy combined with Western techniques, such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Gray’s artistic practice uniquely follows the path of traditional Asian art-forms, which often integrate word and image.

In her work, Gray uses images of people, animals, and still-lifes captured in her daily experiences; and more recently, she has begun incorporating bubbles throughout the image. The bubbles in her artwork represent energy emitted by atoms and also signify the soul or the spirit, which is encompassed by one’s physical form.

Moreover, Gray assigns a matching Japanese proverb to go with the image, which is spelled out with hiragana and kanji characters intertwined to create a single strand. The beginning and end of this calligraphic line is a metaphor for life and death, with the middle representing the complicated path taken in between. The proverbs are short and poetic, yet powerful and true, confirming the perpetual nature of humanity and resonating timeless wisdom.

Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display until June 17.