Island_2 is a rare example of her Photocanvases. Made in 1971, this work exemplifies the artist’s shifting practice. In pursuit of the image only achievable through photography, Sugiura started applying extreme close-up and enlargement to her photographs. This resulted in the near-abstract quality of the images, which makes them distinct from earlier Photocanvases where the subjects remain discernible. These newer works impressed dealer Dick Bellamy and led him to introduce Sugiura to curator Marcia Tucker. Soon after this, Sugiura participated in the Whitney Annual curated by Tucker and had her first solo show at Warren Benedek Gallery in 1972.

This work also incorporates acrylic which the artist meticulously applied to enhance contrast and depth and add a materiality to this work—a nod to her fusion of painting and photography that began as she started her artistic practice in New York.