Akabeko is a legendary red cow from the Aizu region in Japan. Given my love of painting Nguni cattle in lipstick colours, she made the perfect subject for my exhibition at the Tokyo International Art Fair.
Akabeko is usually known in the form of a children’s toy. I’ve approximated the markings of the toy on an Nguni cow. In the background, I’ve featured the temple the legendary herd of cattle helped build.
The writing below the cow reads: “Never lose help, because there is always hope.”