Ikuo Hirayama (1930–2009) was born in Setoda Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, and was a leading figure in post-war Japanese painting. Having survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, he drew on that experience to weave his reflections on Buddhism and peace into his life’s work. He went on to visit the Silk Road frequently, using the ruins and landscapes of Dunhuang, Central Asia and India as subjects to create tranquil compositions featuring deep blues and golds. He was an artist who used Japanese painting to weave the connections between people and cultures that have come and gone throughout history into a grand narrative.

Ikuo Hirayama’s works, whilst depicting magnificent landscapes, possess a tranquillity that is somehow akin to prayer. Deserts, ancient ruins and caravans travelling along moonlit paths are not merely depictions of real landscapes; they give the impression of witnessing the very passage of time itself. His paintings are not intended merely to showcase foreign scenery, but rather appear as works that quietly invite the viewer to reflect on human history and the interconnectedness of life. The appeal of Ikuo Hirayama lies in the way his deep colours leave behind a lingering resonance and a profound wish for peace.