NEO WABI-SABI Hankyu Men's Tokyo 1F MAIN BASE & 7F B-OWND GALLERY / Tokyo 2023

In the tumultuous era of the Warring States and the Azuchi-Momoyama period, while extravagant and eccentric artworks emerged that seemingly embodied the ambition of warlords navigating through these chaotic times, there also simultaneously thrived the aesthetic of "wabi-sabi" deepened through the tea ceremony. Takahiro Koga's newly proposed "NEO WABI-SABI" melds the dynamic and dazzling design with the tranquil and minimalist ethos of Sen no Rikyu's tea culture, marrying these two contrasting sensibilities. He unveils works that combine flamboyant and powerful expressions with the subtleties of the tea ceremony and the transformative ideas of Rikyu. As a rallying cry for modern-day warriors navigating the business landscape, Koga has thus far introduced auspicious symbols like the "Maneki-neko" (beckoning cat) that attracts people and fortune, and the "Daruma", representing resilience in the face of adversity. These symbols continuously bolster the spirits of today's business warriors. And now, the highly anticipated brand-new masterpiece, the "Fukurou" (Owl) makes its debut, hinting at multiple interpretations such as "no hardship", "blessed lad", or "path of fortune". As this will be his last solo exhibition before venturing into the U.S., don't miss this evolution of Takahiro Koga's artistic journey.