We are honored to announce our upcoming solo exhibition by Koichiro Takagi at CLEAR EDITION & GALLERY.

Upon on having his second solo exhibition with us, Takagi gave us a statement below.

These are not devils. These are my gods.
Are the devils really what you think they are?

These gods will free you from the restraints of the ancient gods.
However, I am not talking about beliefs or religions.
How about questioning the authorities, theories, customs and advises
which you have been blindly believing.

It is quite obvious that the‘ god’ mentioned in Takagi’s statement is mentioned as an icon. A metaphor to a way of spreading beliefs. The animal motifs often seen in his works also hold various meanings which differ from viewer to viewer. In some countries‘ owls’ represent bad luck and wisdom at the same time. The meanings can even change within the same country, from time to time, ruler to ruler.

Takagi attempts to free us from our stereo type thoughts and perspectives. From a single perspective, you may feel an‘ uneasiness’ through Takagi’s works. Some of the motifs for the backgrounds come from scriptures, often along with a personified animal with an unbalanced and awkward look on his/her face, or with an embroidered phrase along with a mischievous face. Through the intentionally created‘ uneasiness’, Takagi reminds us that the‘ reality’ in our everyday life is functioning on a very fragile balance of multi values coexisting.

In addition to his embroidery series, Takagi will be showing a series of mixed media works with painting and stencil works.
- Text by Gallery Director, Clear Edition & Gallery 

*image (left)
courtesy of the artist and Clear Edition & Gallery