Description

“I admire Lucas Cranach the Elder’s paintings. I took inspiration from his series of Venus and Eros or Cupid paintings. In the painting, Eros is complaining to his mother Venus about bee stings while holding the stolen honeycomb in this hands. I like this provocative allegorical painting. Both Venus and Eros were symbols of erotic love, total freedom as immortals that had outrageously mischievous escapades. I took focus on Eros, the infant boy who induces the onlooker the presumption of his innocence as a novice to the world. In this lithograph Honey Thief, Eros is separated from his mother, he stands in the space on the paper like a fragment of a sculpture.”

– Akio Takamori –

Honey Thief was the final print collaboration between TLLW and Akio Takamori. Always fond of Eastern and Western art history, this print emerged from a series of his study drawings exploring classical images of the goddess, Venus, and her alleged son, Cupid. Specifically, Akio was intrigued with the moral overtones found in the more than 25 Lucas Cranach the Elder’s paintings themed Cupid Complaining to Venus.

On the weekend of December 17, 2016, Mike Sims traveled to Seattle to visit with Akio and share with him the completed lithograph. The prints were signed in Akio’s studio during this visit. Less than a month later, on January 11, 2017, Akio Takamori died in his home, succumbing to cancer.

Akio Takamori was a favored friend, collaborator, and extraordinary artist. His friendship, sensitivity, and remarkable artistic vision were a gift to us all. He will be sadly missed, and always admired with gratitude and love here at TLLW.

“I learned a great deal from you, Akio. Rest in peace.”

– Mike Sims –