Ay-O – Two Birds on the Tree Screenprint, 1987 (Artist's Proof)

Artist: Ay-O (1931–2024)
Title: Two Birds on the Tree
Medium: Screenprint
Year: 1987
Edition: Artist's Proof (A.P.)
Image size: Approx. 75.2 × 55.5 cm
Paper size: Please inquire
Condition: Excellent condition; strong, vibrant color with only light toning to the margins consistent with age. (Please adjust if your A.P. differs from the example shown.)
Signed: Pencil signed, dated, and inscribed A.P. by the artist.

Notes: Among Ay-O's many rainbow compositions, Two Birds on the Tree is one of the artist's most joyful and approachable images. Here, the familiar subject of two birds resting among delicate branches is transformed by Ay-O's signature spectrum of color, creating a work that is both visually striking and quietly uplifting. Unlike many optical works that rely on visual tension, this print feels playful, inviting, and surprisingly serene. The composition reveals itself gradually—the vibrant birds first capture the eye, while the graceful tree and subtle transitions of color reward closer inspection. It is an excellent example of Ay-O's ability to balance rigorous design with warmth, humor, and a genuine sense of optimism, making it a print that is as enjoyable to live with as it is to study.

Keywords: Ay-O, Two Birds on the Tree, Fluxus, Screenprint, Rainbow, Birds, Tree, Nature, Contemporary Japanese Art, Artist's Proof