Akiko Sumiyoshi & U-die: Protection
This May, AKI Gallery is pleased to present Protection, a duo solo exhibition featuring Japanese artists Akiko SUMIYOSHI and U-die. Through idiosyncratic visual lan-guages鈥攔ooted respectively in Eastern cosmologies of nature and Western narratives of power鈥攖he two artists deconstruct the seemingly straightforward concept of "protection." Here, protection is never merely a symbol of tenderness; it may also im-ply subtle control or lurking depletion.
Akiko SUMIYOSHI (b.1981) leads viewers into an alternate realm鈥攁n illusory forest interwoven with flora and fauna. Her intricate and refined compositions feature ani-mals as central figures, rendered in delicate brushwork and layered colors against gold-leaf backdrops. Her practice echoes the graceful aesthetics of RIMPA (銈娿倱銇�) and traditional Japanese painting, while also embedding contemporary concerns for the natural world. As we gaze into her works, we enter a loop of mutual observa-tion鈥攚atching and being watched.
U-die (b.1987), on the other hand, inherits the bold language of Pop Art. Integrating spray paint, graffiti, and street art aesthetics, his works create a visual "explosion" on the canvas. Employing a comic-like style with vivid contours and powerful image structures, U-die constructs scenes suspended between humor and critique. Beneath their playful surface lies a deeper commentary on urban life, consumerism, and hu-man behavior. His works destabilize traditional power figures, offering a strategic re-sponse to contemporary realities. By leveraging the accessibility of comic imagery, U-die draws the audience into a space of critical reflection.
This May, AKI Gallery is pleased to present Protection, a duo solo exhibition featuring Japanese artists Akiko SUMIYOSHI and U-die. Through idiosyncratic visual lan-guages鈥攔ooted respectively in Eastern cosmologies of nature and Western narratives of power鈥攖he two artists deconstruct the seemingly straightforward concept of "protection." Here, protection is never merely a symbol of tenderness; it may also im-ply subtle control or lurking depletion.
Akiko SUMIYOSHI (b.1981) leads viewers into an alternate realm鈥攁n illusory forest interwoven with flora and fauna. Her intricate and refined compositions feature ani-mals as central figures, rendered in delicate brushwork and layered colors against gold-leaf backdrops. Her practice echoes the graceful aesthetics of RIMPA (銈娿倱銇�) and traditional Japanese painting, while also embedding contemporary concerns for the natural world. As we gaze into her works, we enter a loop of mutual observa-tion鈥攚atching and being watched.
U-die (b.1987), on the other hand, inherits the bold language of Pop Art. Integrating spray paint, graffiti, and street art aesthetics, his works create a visual "explosion" on the canvas. Employing a comic-like style with vivid contours and powerful image structures, U-die constructs scenes suspended between humor and critique. Beneath their playful surface lies a deeper commentary on urban life, consumerism, and hu-man behavior. His works destabilize traditional power figures, offering a strategic re-sponse to contemporary realities. By leveraging the accessibility of comic imagery, U-die draws the audience into a space of critical reflection.
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