Masakatsu Sashie paints worlds within worlds in his still series
Masakatsu Sashie transports viewers to familiar yet otherworldly landscapes through the detailed oil-painted orbs of his still series. At the heart of Sashie’s work are his floating orbs—composite worlds hovering above desolate landfills or fading cityscapes. These orbs are mosaics of building facades, air conditioning units, vending machines, corroded metal sheets, and neon signs. Signs of decay and wear permeate the surfaces, with recognizable logos from global brands incorporated into the patchwork. Each element is meticulously painted, creating a visual narrative that captures the persistence of human creations even as they deteriorate over time. In every sphere, the artist reflects a microcosm of human life, encapsulating fragments of the past and present in an isolated, surreal reality.
TOKI, 2024, oil on canvas, 90 x 117 centimeters, images courtesy of Masakatsu Sashie, via @masakatsusashie
neon signs and decaying remnants coexist in the artists’ universe
Sashie’s work draws from the mundane—the buildings, billboards, and garbage that populate everyday life. These fragments of urban existence are transformed into compelling motifs within his works. ‘The world is a complex composed of fragments of everyday scenes,’ Sashie explains. ‘This is not nostalgia but an attempt to imagine the future from the present.’
The contrast between decaying urban remnants and the boundless imagination of Sashie’s compositions invites viewers to consider the fragility of modernity. In one painting, a sphere patched with corrugated metal and vending machines floats above a landfill, with distant high-rises barely visible through a hazy sky. In another, neon-clad orbs pulsate with vibrant colors, reflecting humanity’s relentless energy amidst isolation. Sashie describes these spheres as ‘isolated worlds,’ simultaneously connected to and cut off from the rest of society. While some orbs reflect a muted palette of rusted hues, others glow vibrantly with neon signage. These luminous spheres evoke the energy of urban nightlife, floating above distant city skylines. Masakatsu Sashie also introduces nostalgic elements, such as floral patterns, adding layers of memory and cultural reflection to his compositions.
Symbol, oil on canvas, 45 × 53 centimeters
floating orbs depict the future through the lens of the present
Masakatsu Sashie’s STILL series is not only a critique of overconsumption or urban sprawl but a celebration of human ingenuity. As an artist appreciative of handmade creations, he finds beauty in both natural and man-made designs. Even discarded items—detritus of civilization—become an extension of human creativity and evolution in his eyes. ‘Nothing is made by humans completely from scratch. We are constantly searching through our limited resources to create, form, and constitute what’s necessary for us to advance as a human race,’ the artist shares. His pieces underscore the cyclical nature of creation and destruction, a phenomenon he views as integral to human existence.
By fusing fragments of urban life into spherical forms, he captures the accumulation of time and the universal struggles of human existence. These spheres reflect nostalgia while serving as portals to imagine the future through the lens of the present.
oil on canvas 73 x 73 centimeters
BLINKER II – HALL, oil on canvas, 45.7 x 38.1 centimeters
Chrysalis, oil on canvas, 60.6 x 50 centimeters
COMPLEX, limited edition print, paper 76.2 x 61 centimeters, image 66 x 51.6 centimeters
Concrete, oil on canvas, 91 x 72.7 centimeters
GLOW, limited edition print, paper 76.2 x 61 centimeters, image 66 x 51.6 centimeters
BLINKER – ALIAS, oil on canvas, 45.7 x 38.1 centimeters
TOKI, 2024, oil on canvas, 90 x 117 centimeters, detail
project info:
name: STILL
artist: Masakatsu Sashie | @masakatsusashie
