Maiko Kobayashi at Art Miami

We are delighted to announce our participation in Art Miami with "Window to My Time," a solo presentation of profoundly contemplative artworks by Japanese artist Maiko Kobayashi. For over two decades, Kobayashi has meticulously crafted a unique character—a fusion of a puppy, a rabbit, and a childlike, drawn human figure. These creatures, serving as her alter ego, embody poignant messages about contemporary disruptions while acting as vessels to exorcise anxiety. The intense, thoughtful expressions in their eyes reveal the sophistication of these creations, presenting a complex and idiosyncratic cognitive tension. While Kobayashi's characters traverse a spectrum of emotions, distress and melancholy are ever-present. Yet, her compositions never succumb to despair or resignation. Instead, they offer a bright, virtuous reflection of the artist’s most significant influences and observations.

This underlying melancholy is beautifully counterbalanced by the harmonious interplay of the paintings’ elements and the irresistible charm of the characters. Their adorable features infuse the works with hope and joy. Subtle hints of euphoria, hidden love notes, and whimsical distractions from precious little things provide a refuge from darkness, offering a profound sense of balance and optimism.

As Kobayashi describes: -The impressions of my creatures are not just a reflection of emotions, it's a duplication of layers upon layers of sentiments. You might not be able to absorb all the senses I've delivered at first glance, and the comprehension could differ from each person. It has layers, for instance, emptiness first, then you feel the peacefulness seething through after a long stare. Sometimes my creatures are all recorded in a sobbing impression, but it could also be a state when the sadness has just passed-. The aesthetic of Kobayashi's work partially embraces the Kawaii cultural tradition, blending attractiveness with pensiveness, cuteness with somberness. Her technique is highly influenced by Japanese artistic tradition, especially through the utilization of the Washi. Each composition begins with a layer of gesso and acrylic on slightly crinkled traditional Japanese Washi paper, partially applied on canvas or board, in order to obtain a more textured surface. After drawing her characters with charcoal, she blends the sketch with her hands and paints over with another, simple, monochrome background. She redraws the figures repeatedly and with each layer, the paintings gain material and emotional depth.The color tones used, often obtained through a combination of acrylic, oil pastels and watercolors, are reminiscent of traditional Japanese-style painting styles and illustrations, with a unique contemporary touch. 'Window to My Time' consists of 8 paintings in various sizes and 3 drawings, deepening the discourse on how daily interactions can help creative minds escape angst. The series explores the concepts of Place, Action, and Event— static zones where people hide, situations that lead to movement and vitality, spontaneous, irrational consequences of action, respectively. Kobayashi's interest in these elements has led her to explore their possibilities in this new series. 'Window to my Time' invites viewers to delve into the intricate layers of emotion and find solace in the harmonious yet complex world of Maiko Kobayashi's creations.

Maiko Kobayashi was born in 1977 in Yokohama-City, and grew up for 10 years in Sagamihara-City, Kanagawa Prefecture, then moved to Tokyo where she is currently based. She studied Scenography and Display at the The Junior College of Musashino Art University, Tokyo from 1995 to 1998; then did in Life drawing and sketching, Setsu Mode Seminar, Tokyo Japan, from 1999 to 2000; and studied in Art Practice, School of Arts and Social sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne England, from 2007 to 2008. Since the late '90's she actively exhibited all around the world gaining over 30 solo shows and participating to about 40 group presentations. Her work found place in prestigious private and public collection. 

Source: GR gallery