Northeast
Spotlight Artist
Ryosuke Kumakura
Northeast
Artist Statement
My work grapples with basic tasks, customs, and behaviors that we commit to habit over time. For instance, stretching a canvas or hanging a towel in your bathroom are common practices, though everybody tends to have their own methods for these things. I play with this within the structure of my paintings and explore the peculiarity of the way we organize our lives.
While the paintings have detailed textures on the surface, the sculptural characteristics of the canvas are emphasized. These pieces are, in part, about the strange similarities that can be found between canvas and towels —not only their structure but also the potential of their emotional purpose. To me, paintings are at the same time illusory and physical, emotional and observational.
While the paintings have detailed textures on the surface, the sculptural characteristics of the canvas are emphasized. These pieces are, in part, about the strange similarities that can be found between canvas and towels —not only their structure but also the potential of their emotional purpose. To me, paintings are at the same time illusory and physical, emotional and observational.
Discover more artists from the Northeast
THE MAGAZINE
Explore our magazine to discover exceptional artists

Call for Artists
Submit your work for consideration
New American Paintings is a juried exhibition-in-print and digital, presenting the work of 40 emerging artists in each issue.
Your gateway to new art
Discover tomorrow's art stars, today

PRINT + EARLY ACCESS DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
$179/YEAR
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
$99/YEAR OR $10/MONTH
Each issue of New American Paintings features forty artists selected through our juried competitions—presented in a beautifully curated, full-color publication. Subscribers receive six issues per year, plus exclusive online access to current and past editions. Are you a collector? Consider our premium subscription and receive our museum-quality printed publication + access to each new digital issue two weeks before its general release.







