Nightfall (2024) Painting by Kadota Mitsumasa

"Mitsumasa Kadota’s ""Nightfall"" (2024) is a captivating work that embodies his signature exploration of movement, color, and texture. Created with acrylic and carborundum on cotton, this vertical composition invites the viewer into a world of fluid transitions and dynamic contrasts. The title, ""Nightfall"", suggests a moment of transition—a shift between light and darkness, day and night, presence and absence.
Kadota’s technique in ""Nightfall"" is distinguished by its vertical flow and striking contrasts. Bold streaks of luminous yellow and deep black cascade down the canvas, intersected by delicate shades of violet, white, and green. The interplay between dark and light areas creates a sense of tension and harmony, evoking the fading light of dusk or the emergence of night’s depth.
The use of carborundum adds a unique tactile quality, enhancing the painting’s material presence. This granular texture catches and diffuses light differently across the surface, making the work appear to shift depending on the viewer’s perspective. This ability to change and reveal new details over time makes ""Nightfall"" an ever-evolving visual experience.
Kadota’s works are exhibited internationally, including at Lincoln Center in New York and the Sezon Museum of Modern Art in Japan. His distinctive approach to abstract painting—blending color with material experimentation—has positioned him among the most compelling contemporary artists.
""Nightfall"", created in 2024, marks an important moment in his artistic evolution, where he refines his exploration of verticality and fluidity. The elongated format (130.6 × 42.5 cm) enhances the painting’s sense of upward and downward motion, making it a striking piece that can transform any space.
In person, ""Nightfall"" has a commanding yet elegant presence. The colors appear to be in motion, as though cascading down the canvas like streaks of light filtering through the night. The contrast between the golden yellow and the deep black creates a luminous effect, while the intricate layering of greens, purples, and whites adds depth and complexity.
The painting’s surface is enriched by the textural properties of carborundum, giving certain areas a tactile roughness that contrasts with the smoothness of the acrylic. This textured layering allows the painting to interact dynamically with different lighting conditions, making it feel alive and constantly changing.
Kadota’s ""Nightfall"" is a stunning representation of his ability to balance movement, contrast, and texture within a single composition. Its bold verticality, dynamic interplay of color, and rich material depth make it a compelling addition to any collection—an artwork that continues to reveal new facets with every viewing."