2026

GLOBAL WARMING IS REAL

RESILIENCE

EXHIBITION

MISAKO OBA

MISAKO OBA

JAPAN/ NY

The Planet of Milk and Honey

encaustic, watercolor, paper, pigment ink, tar in the edge on cradled wood panel, 12 x 9 x 0.75 inches

$650 + $45.50 tax + $45 shipping fee  =

$740.50 Total Price

Artist Statement:

Resilience begins with a shift in perspective, reframing and focusing on what still stands. The work and its title, “The Planet of Milk and Honey,” invoke a historic metaphor of absolute abundance, peace, and freedom. Moving beyond narratives of devastation, they gently invite viewers to contemplate the genesis of the Earth and return to an essential state of origin.

Developed as part of my ongoing climate-themed series initiated in 2022, which includes multiple pieces titled Resilience I, II, and III…, this new piece reflects a shift in thinking and has a new expression. In addition to abstractly layering textual fragments from both ancient and contemporary elements as my style, I am portraying current issues surrounding planetary resources, such as oil – intentionally employing tar around the edge as material language, as well as natural sand from New Mexico and Japan.

All four sides of the cradled wood panel are treated with the traditional Japanese Shou-sugi-ban (charred wood) technique, burning the surface to create natural beauty, better preservation, and perseverance/resilience. It serves us as a visceral reminder of resources, nature, and wildfires, further connecting my process to resilience and environmental change.

Almost everything, including environmental challenges and policy measures, appears to carry a political dimension. However, I take a stand in my personal philosophy: not ‘an eye for an eye,’ but away from the gridlock. I channel this mindset into a vision for a brighter future with resilience, reverencing the Creator of the universe, proactively showing gratitude, and pouring out our love and care to nature and all creation. Appreciation for existence itself. Ultimately, my work explores hope.

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