Haven Gallery is pleased to present “Bakeneko”, a collection of new paintings from Japan based Hitomi Aoki for her third solo show at the gallery. “Bakeneko” features six ink and watercolor paintings, rendered through impressively small, tightly rendered compositions, reminiscent of historical, miniature artworks. “Bakeneko” is a shapeshifting cat demon, or yokai from Japanese folklore. Traditionally, bakeneko can take on supernatural qualities such as size increases, bipedal walking, language and transforming into humans. Aoki’s exhibition chronicles narratives of bakeneko as they interact and take on human attributes. Adorned with the artists signature geometric patterned designs, “Bakeneko” intricate details serve as a theatrical window or presentation to the fantastical world of Japanese legend through the eyes of a contemporary artist.
About Hitomi Aoki
Hitomi Aoki was born in Gifu prefecture in 1987. She studied at Tama Art University and majored in oil painting. She now lives in Kanagawa prefecture.
Hitomi Aoki was born in Gifu prefecture in 1987. She studied at Tama Art University and majored in oil painting. She now lives in Kanagawa prefecture.
She consistently draws mysterious life forms with overwhelming detailed lines and dots drawings by using papers and pen. Motifs of her works are made of intertwined ivy, petals and various parts of animals. Her consciousness spreads into every corner of these motifs and they bring us breathtaking surprise and pleasure to follow these motifs with our eyes.
