iimawashi: Contemporary Art from Japan

Merz Gallery

Edinburgh International Festival Fringe 2005

Artists Name: Tomoko Nagao Title: Kitty looking at me Material: oil on canvas Size: 35cm x 28cm 2005

Tomoko Nagao is focused on aspects of Japanese society as seen through contemporary experience. She has never known a time when there was not Hello Kitty or Kiki and Lala. For most Japanese people these childish characters are as much a part of Japanese culture as Tatami mats, tea bowls, Hokusai and No theatre. Her work explores the child's fascination with these powerful yet ridiculous contemporary icons. In this exhibition, like Titian's painting 'The Venus of Urbino', Hello Kitty stares out, at the (young and now global) female audience, wishing to be desired and promising the viewer love. The power of this icon conditions women from an early age.