Shika no Michi

This piece, “Shika no Michi” (鹿の道) or “Deer Path”, from Steve Bradbury’s “If Nature Wins” collection reimagines a quiet Japanese street scene, in the Gion district of Kyoto. A lone silk deer — bold, confident and slightly out of place — occupies the space, bringing colour and life into the urban setting. The contrast between the structured architecture and the movement of the deer creates a quiet tension, as if nature has begun to reclaim the man-made environment.

Painted in oil on aluminium dibond, the surface allows for strong colour, sharp detail and the signature drips that run through the lower section of the work. The aluminium gives the piece a contemporary edge while keeping it lightweight and durable. It’s a distinctly Japanese scene with a subtle twist — familiar, but not as you’d expect.