This is Maiko Kobayashi’s second solo show in Shanghai. The exhibition includes artworks created during her art residence in Shanghai, the last five year’s artworks and especially several new sketching work. Besides, the artist is preparing for the next Tokyo solo exhibition of her new attempt:three-dimensional ceramic work. I am very looking forward to it.
Mono ha artist Lee Ufan has said that:”hope artwork itself is a philosophy”, and Kobayashi’s work contains a Kawaii philosophy. Kawaii may not be the primary goal of the artist, but there can be no certain correlation between the joy of audience and the intention of the artist.
I arrived at Tokyo in the Spring Festival, and since then I have been stayed at Tokyo’s home for nine months during the pandemic period. This year I stayed at home for the longest time ever since my school days.
The continuing pandemic situation creates an invisible and anxious atmosphere in the air, and the relationship among people has been shifted a lot. Everyone’s original characteristics are not important anymore. “Whether you are carrying the virus” becomes the most crucial characteristic. Just like the numbered prisoners. No.19 has overshadowed names and characteristics.
Many exhibitions are delayed or even canceled due to the pandemic. Shun Art Gallery Tokyo Space begins to open during the pandemic period. Because of the group gathering ban, we have to hold Zoom opening ceremony instead. The group exhibitions in April and June displayed 16 Japanese young artists’ work. Maiko Kobayashi is an indispensable part of it.
Six pieces of Maiko Kobayashi’s work displayed in the group exhibition were sold out within 10 minutes right after the starting of opening ceremony. I guess that people are feeling healed when seeing the lovely creature in Kobayashi’s work. Some clients even give names to this little creature. When listening to clients continuing compliment, I aware that their inner hearts are avoiding something. When there are negative external environment and lack of security, people always choose to protect themselves or escape from the current situation.
No matter how suffering the current situation becomes, Kawaii is the best. And Kawaii makes us never forget the “hope”.
– Shun in Tokyo
Come On
Duration: Oct.24th, 2020 (Sat.) – Dec.6, 2020 (Sun.) 12pm – 8pm
Artists： Maiko KOBAYASHI
Producer: Shun
Host: Shun Art Gallery
Address: Room 108, No. 3, Lane 1363, Middle Fuxing Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Maiko KOBAYASHI
Master of Arts with Distinction in Art Practice, School of Arts and Social sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, England 1998 Certificate in Scenography and Display, The Junior College of Musashino Art University, Tokyo Japan Now Lives and works in Tokyo. Solo Exhibitions:“We are all Kawaii”, Space Zero, Beijing 798 Art district, China(2018);“Kawaii Thinker”, Shun Art Gallery, Shanghai, China(2018). Group Exhibitions:“Power of Life”, Shun Art Gallery Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan(2020);“Don’t look at me!” (a duo-show by two artists), Pierre-Yves Caër Gallery, Paris, France(2019).ART FAIR:“ART FAIR TOKYO 2017 ＜Hopin’ Pocketful ポケットの希望 展＞”Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, Japan(2017).
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