iPRECIATION is delighted to present a novel joint exhibition by 5 emerging Japanese artists whose works are child-like, yet thought-provoking. Participating artists include Shimizu Tomohiro, Makita Sohei, Tomita Natsumi, Takagi Makito and Yuasa Kanako.

Shimizu Tomohiro
Exploring the workings of the subconscious, the protagonist of Shimizu Tomohiro’s oil paintings, a pensive, sensuous little girl, is testament to the artist’s curiosity, and quest for liberation. She appears trapped in a convoluted world, surrounded by bright, psychedelic colours that mask a vulnerable disposition. Shimizu has constructed for her, a fairytale world, one that appears safe, but conveying a desire to reach out and break free from her egotistical, dreamy portal, which she has grown too big for.

Makita Sohei
Born in Tochigi prefecture in 1980, Makita Soehi obtained both his bachelor and master degree at the National University of Fine Arts and Music. Makita’s boy sculptures, elusive and endearing, appear to dodge shadows, at times painted and clad in dark, greyish suits alike to Ninjas; or sitting silently, watching with huge, innocent eyes, that thrust out at the viewer. For the artist, his mysterious creation embodies an intuitive figure, one that is mindful, and in search for a hidden truth. Makita’s inspiration to create these works derived from a figure that appeared in his imagination, one that made spontaneous appearances and disappeared without hint. By creating this imagery using camphor wood, in a variety of odd sizes, Makita hopes to materialise his dreams, as he carves and analyses the surreal figure that darts about, musing as it finally takes form in the outer world of consciousness.

Tomita Natsumi
Graduated from the famous Tama Art Univeristy in Tokyo, Tomita Natsumi’s quirky sculptures, made utilising recyclables, denote life and human behaviour through unique approaches. Natsumi’s miniature sculptures (created in sets of six), depicts people riding in a Hong Kong mass transit railway, as they purposefully head about to work or play.

Although small, Natsumi has captured their expressions with a delicacy that is both endearing and startling; as we sight the various characters, captured in a fleeting moment    through    mixed    media    and newspaper, and recognise their body language, to be strangely that of our own.

Takagi Makito
Takagi Makito was born in Shizuoka in 1986 and graduated from Oil Painting Course at Tama Art University in Tokyo. Takagi’s paintings feature snapshots of random figures, cartoon inspired creatures that parody human beings, and our imperfections. Denoted as ‘Snapshots’, Takagi’s figures attempt to strike stylish poses; however, regardless of how hard they try to look good in front of a camera, or in the presence of others, it does not go well... parodying the failure we experience, when we attempt to be somebody else, instead of joyfully embracing our own person. At times, Takagi paints separate images on canvas, alike to a collage. Inspired by fashion magazines, he wanted to express the production process, and drew in trim marks and lines, to evoke the idea of an experimental layout to be refined, prior to print.

Yuasa Kanako
Yuasa Kanako was born in Yokohama City of Japan. She studied oil painting at the Tokyo Zokei University and graduated in 2010. Yuasa’s works, though surreal, capture the essence of a lost childhood. Inspired by the ideal of a theme park, Yuasa’s pencil on paper works capture the desire and pleasure experienced by a child, on a fun day out. However, in these paintings, there is neither sound nor colour. What remains is the shape of objects - the soft outlines, and black, white shades analogous to the seeds of memory; as we attempt to capture an experience, a pleasure, and what appears in our minds are only vague contours. For Yuasa, this world she has created represents renewal, as she revives the imagination, and new sensations experienced by an infant. Viewing her mind as an infinite toy chest, Yuasa chooses the suitable items at will, to recreate a stage for her childhood toys, and their sentimental values to relive in.

In support of the earthquake and Tsunami relief in Japan, iPRECIATION will donate 10% of proceeds from the sale of exhibits to the Central Community Chest of Japan at United Way Worldwide.