Artist Koichiro Takagi continues to express himself using motifs of anthropomorphized animals through techniques such as embroidery, collage, painting, and stencil. His solo exhibition 'Infinite Light,' held at MAKI Gallery in Omotesando, will feature new works alongside his previous pieces.

Koichiro Takagi anthropomorphizes a wide range of animals, from large ones like tigers and bears to familiar smaller creatures such as cats and squirrels, rendering them into unique works through techniques like embroidery and collage. His distinctive methods and worldview leave a deep impression on viewers. Here, we focus on the new works presented at his solo exhibition 'Infinite Light,' which opens on September 17.

His animal motifs sometimes appear in the attire of clergy, or bare their fangs like street gangsters. Whether fierce or cute, sacred or vulgar, his works coexist with contradictory elements, drawing viewers into an overwhelming world and creating a subtle sense of unease. This may reflect Takagi's own inner world, shaped by his upbringing in a Catholic household, his love for hardcore punk influenced by his brother, and his exposure to street culture after moving to the US—a world of contradictions and a space that transcends them. We invite you to savor the unique worldview glimpsed within each narrative.

Koichiro Takagi
Born in Tokyo in 1974. After graduating from university, he moved to the United States and studied silkscreen printing at the Art Academy of San Francisco. He then began his career as a painter in New York, returning to Japan in 2005 to establish his base in Tokyo. The anonymity and mystery inherent in his animal motifs create a peculiar sense of discomfort, blending familiarity with unease.
Takagi's works depict the shifting emotions and inherent contradictions of people, while also expressing the existence of an ideal world that, though unseen, we wish to believe in. As guides to this utopia, the various intentions hidden in the expressions of his protagonists' faces prompt viewers to re-examine their own values and question what constitutes truth for them. He is actively engaged as a painter, participating in numerous domestic and international curated and group exhibitions, as well as holding solo shows. He has also collaborated extensively with apparel brands such as BEAMS, PORTER, and Paul Smith, providing designs for them. His work has been featured in domestic and international media, including The NY Times.