Ma Exhibition Opening Soon

The Carlos and Olga Saladrigas Gallery at Belen Jesuit proudly presents Ma 間 - an exhibition of new paintings by Harumi Abe from January 24 to March 22, 2025. Abe fuses landscapes inspired by her native Japan with the tropical foliage of South Florida to create cosmic, liminal spaces that redefine home. 

In her preparations for the exhibition at the Saladrigas Gallery, the Japanese word Ma struck a chord with Abe and led to the creation of a diptych included in the exhibition. Ma 間 is a Japanese concept that signifies an interval or a pause in time. Through the lens of Abe’s brush, viewers are inspired to reflect and contemplate the hidden depths of nature. Through some of the works’ titles, we are overtly reminded of Abe’s confluence of cultures as shown through paintings such as Tomakomai and Oleta River, simultaneously referencing the largest city in the Iburi Subprefecture of Japan and a Florida urban state park. Others, such as Kampong or Meiji Echo allude to specific cultural references, although still conveyed through Abe’s glowing color palette and vision.

“Ma allows for deep engagement, activating both the artwork and the viewer’s perception, said Abe. “This concept took on new meaning for me in response to the many crises we face—war, environmental degradation, and political unrest—issues that often leave me feeling powerless as an individual. Drawing inspiration from the negative space in Japanese painting, such as Tohaku Hasegawa’s Pine Trees, combined with a South Florida sensibility, I seek to create a sanctuary for reflection. In a world that rushes forward, my work urges us to pause, breathe, and recognize the fragile beauty that surrounds us.”

With a career spanning solo exhibitions and residencies across the country, from Vermont to Washington, D.C. and even internationally, as attested to by the Dickinson House Residency in Belgium, Abe now brings her renowned work to the Saladrigas Gallery at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. As the audience experiences the carefully curated exhibition, may Abe’s paintings be reminders of the universality of nature and the call to protect our common home.