Commentary by Ron C. Moss, Haiga Editor

Haiga Showcase: Oscar Luparia

Sometimes playful but always offering acute observations and commentary, Oscar Luparia’s haiga delight us. HIs carefully composed photographic images bring his words into sharp focus, and the interplay is often infused with irony and humor.

With “birthday candles,” we have a striking image of trees in the foreground and, instead of sky, cut timber in the background. This sets up the association between the birthday senryu and the rings of a tree—a unique commentary on how the passing of time is recorded.

In “who saw him anymore?” Oscar uses a recognizable logo and historically lovable cartoon characters to make a statement on the new overwhelming impact of social media. The images in the collage are well balanced, and the senry adds a light touch of humor.

In “folded paper,” the senryu and the paper boats sailing across a world globe convey a sense of time passing, of ambitions unfulfilled but never abandoned. It’s very clever, and as with all of Oscar’s haiga, the design elements balance nicely to create a composition that’s pleasing to the eye and mind.

The grasses in “summertime” flow in a gentle breeze, and that wonderful movement captures lightness to the haiku. This haiga gives us the feeling of flying with the little dragonflies toward a destination of hope in troubled times.

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About the Artist

Oscar Luparia is an Italian trade unionist whose main passions are haiku, mountains, and photography. Some of his poems have been published in international journals and websites, including The Mainichi, Failed Haiku, Le Lumachine, Wales Haiku Journal, Les Fleurs ne dorment jamais, DailyHaiga, Incense Dreams, and Chrysanthemum.

His haiku eBooks are available at issuu.com/oscarluparia.