Ryo Taira (right) and an unidentified man lift a young porpoise out of a flooded rice field after it was swept there by the earlier tsunami in Sendai, Japan, on March 22, 2011.

Mankind's role is to fulfill his heaven-sent purpose through a sincere heart that is in harmony with all creation and loves all things — Morihei Ueshiba, Japanese martial artist and founder of aikido.

Hiraga's canvases are thus narratives that speak of his artistic expression, and a gradual stylistic balance between his Japanese heritage and French inspirations.