The “Abstra Series” of paintings were first shown at the Onishi Gallery in New York in March of 2024. With visual references to Japanese screens and Hewett’s “Bushido Series”, the Abstra use wood panels and gold leaf to create a modern interpretation of traditional themes.

Hewett began making screens after a visit to an exhibition of 12th century works in Tokyo. The screens were so old that the pigment had faded and it was difficult to discern the painting’s content. The remaining gold leaf was cracked and revealed
the underlying paper.

Hewett was inspired by these works as he viewed them as abstract paintings, not worn old works. The “Abstra Series” is based on the inspiration Hewett took from these ancient treasures.