Born in a dry, dessert town in Southwestern Mongolia, artist Zayasaikhan Samuu pays tribute to his cultural traditions in action packed watercolors. Inspired by the history of Ghengis Khan and his horsemen warriors, Zaya mixes traditional Mongolian painting techniques with contemporary Japanese ideas and composition.
Steppe Warriors, Zaya's new show at Shooting Gallery, opened yesterday at San Francisco's Shooting Gallery. The material on view reflects the blended interests, balancing powerful warrior narratives with softer portraits of geisha girls. The contrast is jarring, but nonetheless logical bringing the whole oeuvre to logical conclusion.
Steppe Warriors runs through January 5, 2013.
Shooting Gallery, 839 Larkin Street, San Francisco
