Kotaro Abe Presents His Mythological ‘EFFIGY’ in NANZUKA Exhibition

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As a seasoned gamer and art enthusiast, I find Kotaro Abe‘s EFFIGY exhibition at NANZUKA 2G in Tokyo to be nothing short of a visual delight. Having grown up with a rich gaming background, it’s fascinating to see how Abe’s work seamlessly blends elements from various universes, creating an intriguing amalgamation that resonates deeply within me.

Many artists choose unusual substances for their artwork, with some renowned figures using blood, coffee, or even urine as the foundation of both their physical and symbolic creations. Japanese artist Kotaro Abe, whose family has been deeply involved in fish farming, decided to incorporate elements of the sea into his own work. He achieved this by blending fish feed ingredients like black sesame seeds and tapioca flour with paints to create his unique, mythological canvas paintings.

At NANZUKA 2G in Tokyo, Abe showcases his new series, EFFIGY, a collection of ocean-like creature wall art. Abe’s creative process is spontaneous, as he jots down ideas directly on whiteboards, drawing inspiration from the various life experiences and encounters he has had. The pieces range from the multi-eyed alien reminiscent of a Star Trek character, named DODOMEKI, to the sword-wielding chieftain bearing a resemblance to Aku Aku from Crash Bandicoot, titled KINGREDER. Each distinctive canvas composition showcases unique textures that result from Abe’s exclusive blend of paints and materials.

For those in Tokyo, EFFIGY will open at NANZUKA on August 17 and run through September 15, 2024.

NANZUKA 2G
Shibuya PARCO 2F
15-1 Udagawa-cho,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

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2024-08-15 21:25