[Art Fair Tokyo 2019] Shiki Taira "LOVE×2 Yokai SHOW -THE SECOND- ~Nihon Ayashi Banashi~" @ Seigado Natsume Bijutsu-ten

Shiki Taira “LOVE×2 Yokai SHOW -THE SECOND- ~Nihon Ayashi Banashi~”

Shiki Taira is a young Japanese-style painter who expresses her original worldview through motifs such as yokai in the medium of Nihonga (Japanese-style painting).
Following her 2018 outing, she once again held a solo exhibition at “Art Fair Tokyo 2019.”

Shiki Taira draws original yokai such as “Ichimoku-sama” and kimono-clad women with careful craftsmanship and a dose of humor.
Many works were on view at this exhibition, and nearly all of them were marked with red-dot stickers (sold), demonstrating her steady popularity.

A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts, Shiki Taira is an artist whose sure technique and painterly skill are matched by the playfulness of her motifs.

Shiki Taira. Left: "Beauty and the Ungaikyo," size 8, 175,000 yen (excl. tax). Right: "Beauty with Little Demon," size 10, 2… — Shiki Taira. Left: “Beauty and the Ungaikyo,” size 8, 175,000 yen (excl. tax). Right: “Beauty with Little Demon,” size 10, 250,000 yen (excl. tax).

The worldview in which a kimono-clad bijinga coexists with a contrasting yokai is delightful, isn’t it!

Shiki Taira. Left: "Beauty and Enma's Pendulum Divination," size 50, 680,000 yen (excl. tax).Center: "Nihon Ayashi Banashi: … — Shiki Taira. Left: “Beauty and Enma’s Pendulum Divination,” size 50, 680,000 yen (excl. tax).
Center: “Nihon Ayashi Banashi: Yokai of Kyushu and Okinawa.” Right: “Nihon Ayashi Banashi: Yokai of Chugoku and Shikoku.” Both size 8, 200,000 yen (excl. tax) each.

As she is still a young artist, her prices remain modest.
There is a sense that they will continue to rise going forward.

Shiki Taira, "Little Tengu with Temari Ball," size 12, 300,000 yen (excl. tax). — Shiki Taira, “Little Tengu with Temari Ball,” size 12, 300,000 yen (excl. tax).

Works lined up in a row, with sold-out stickers affixed.

From a live painting demonstration by Shiki Taira herself, March 9, 2019.

A splendid, well-conceived art catalog was also distributed for free and was very well received by visitors. Shiki Taira’s charming personality strikes a fascinating balance with her humorous works.
We look forward to her ever-growing success.

Overview

Art Fair Tokyo 2019

Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall E
Dates: Thursday, March 7 – Sunday, March 10, 2019, 4 days (last admission 30 minutes before closing each day)
Press View: Thursday, March 7, 13:00–14:00
Private View: Thursday, March 7, 14:00–16:00
Vernissage: Thursday, March 7, 16:00–20:00
Public View: Friday, March 8 & Saturday, March 9, 11:00–20:00 / Sunday, March 10, 11:00–17:00
Admission: Advance ticket / 1 DAY Passport 4,000 yen (incl. tax); Same-day ticket / 1 DAY Passport 5,000 yen (incl. tax) (elementary school students and younger admitted free when accompanied by an adult)