Undertow is the wave flowing away from the shore. It’s beneath the wave which crashes to shore. Most people paint that wave. You can’t see undertow, so you naturally underestimate its strength. If it catches you and you are a weak swimmer, you have a big problem.

I hesitated to use the tartan fabric as the painting does not depict an actual place. A viewer might assume that I am referencing my Scottish roots, but I’m not. Like a teenager rebelling against school uniforms, my intention is to challenge what attire is appropriate for byōbu.

The Japanese fabric covering the back of the screen is an homage to a certain silver and blue fish. I am grateful that a designer on the other side of the world had the vision to create this fabric, as most of us would never wish to leave the house looking like a mackerel.