For Throwback Thursday, we’re taking a look back at this earlier painting by Gajin Fujita titled Clash of the Titans. Produced in 2002-06, the work will be included in his upcoming solo exhibition at The Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, TN, opening this April 2015.

Here is a detailed look into the work’s symbolism and composition:

Gajin Fujita: Clash of the Titans, 2002-06, gold and white gold leaf, spraypaint, acrylic, Mean Streak and paint marker on panel, 12 Panels [Each Panel: 48 x 16 in. (121.9 x 40.6 cm)  / Overall: 48 x 192 in. (121.9 x 487.7 cm)]

The title derives from the ‘80s movie “Clash of the Titans,” which was a childhood favorite for the artist and served as a direct source of inspiration for this piece. The painting deals with the collision of two opposing forces, described here in the form of a tiger and a dragon. Both creatures are greatly revered in Asian cultures and symbolize strength and courage. However in contrast, according to Chinese mythology (remnants of which had a presence in Japan), the tiger regionally represents the “west,” while the dragon is associated with the “east’’ – this positioning is reflected in their placement within the composition.

Not only are the creatures directionally opposed, they also signify a clash of origins. Tigers reign in the terrestrial realm, and dragons prevail from the depths of the ocean. In the painting, Fujita details their habitats on each end of the painting – the tiger emerges from the shielding bamboo and the dragon slithers in and out of clouds above crashing waves. The distinct cloud motifs, depicted in this work, were inspired by cloud forms often found on traditional Japanese partition screens. In this rendering, the artist chose to apply a stylized checkerboard of white and gold leaf in the clouds for ornamental effect. This is the first instance in which the artist has reapplied gold leafing over already painted forms.

This painting is also the first horizontally elongated piece created by the artist. Upon closer inspection, a density of graffiti markings atop gilded gold leafing emerges from in between the compositional elements. This built-­‐up graffiti was done by many of Fujita’s peers over an extended period of time.

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In May 2015, L.A. Louver will be presenting a solo exhibition of new paintings by Fujita titled “Warriors, Ghosts and Ancient Gods of the Pacific” – keep posted for updates and show teasers!