Iona Rozeal Brown, American, born 1966
One for the Money, Two Faux the Show (Still Pimpin’), after Katsukawa Shun’ei’s The Actor Ichikawa Komazo III, 2006
Acrylic, gold leaf on panel
Courtesy of the University of Virginia Art Museum L2011.170

In 2005, Brown was awarded a grant that enabled her to live in Japan for six months. During that time she studied Kabuki theater. Later, some of her compositions came to reflect her awareness of yakusha-e (actor prints). This composition is based on a design by Katsukawa Shun’ei picturing the Kabuki actor Komazo III in a distinctive, twisting pose. Rather than holding a sword, as in the original, Brown’s hip-hop fan holds a bag emblazoned with a dollar sign. He wears baggy trousers and a loose, open shirt. His face is darkened with ganguro makeup and he sports a white do-rag.