Misaki Kawai (Japanese, b.1978)

LOT ID: 74181

Banana Slip, 2007

Paper, paper mache

29 х 15 х 2 in. (73.66 x 38.1 x 5.08 cm.)

Signed, verso

Lot description

Demonstrating Misaki Kawai's characteristic sense of humor with a bit of an obscene twist, 'Banana Slip' portrays a girl in midst of a fall after slipping on a banana peel, presenting the viewer with a peak of her underpants. Kawai's use of paper mache creates the lovable, homemade aesthetic she is known for, which balances out the suggestive humor, making this work delightfully appealing. According to Kawai, “Some art may be very cute. It’s easy for people to love it, but it’s a little bit empty, it’s easy. Nothing sticks in your head or your heart. Same thing with [art that is overtly] bad or sad. I like to have a balance.”

Combining a strong sense of wit with 'cutesy' imagery, and drawing on influences from her travels, contemporary Japanese artist, Misaki Kawai (b.1978) creates works that are appealing for both their simplicity and for their edge. Born in the comedy capital of Japan, Osaka, Kawai began drawing as a way to make people laugh as a young girl. She attended the Kyoto College of Art from 1997 to 1999 and later moved to New York, where she continues to live and work. While popular culture is central in her subject matter, her native country is a continual source of inspiration. Her work has been widely exhibited throughout the world, with recent solo exhibitions at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Tokyo, Japan; LaMontagne Gallery, Boston, MA; Paul Bright, Toronto, Canada; V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark; Perugi Artecontemporanea, Padova, Italy; and Kenny Schachter Contemporary, New York, NY.

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History and Provenance
History and Provenance
Provenance:
Private collection, USA
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
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Shipping Weight: 10 lbs

Framing: No

Item Location: New York, USA

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