堀内マキコ

English below ART ENCOUNTERS, a series in which Shikisaisha presents selected artists through an exhibition format, reaches its tenth edition with this exhibition. Marking this milestone, we are pleased to present a solo exhibition by Makiko Horiuchi. Makiko Horiuchi has continued her practice by expanding images as if searching for the shapes of the human mind. Her works simultaneously evoke a sense of familiarity—such as cuteness or beauty—while also containing elements that feel unsettling or eerie. Within a single presence, opposing sensations coexist, and the way these works are perceived shifts depending on the viewer and the moment of encounter. This exhibition presents a group of small sculptural works inspired by kyōgen masks, corresponding two-dimensional works, and a series of works on stone slabs. In the small sculptures and two-dimensional works, ideas unfold playfully, giving rise to images that are humorous yet elusive, resisting easy grasp. By contrast, the stone slab works possess a quieter presence, imbued with subtle tension and unease, as they internalize a gaze directed toward others and toward the self. A key concept running through Horiuchi’s entire body of work is that of the “foreign body. A foreign body refers to something that deviates from the norm and generates a sense of discomfort. Yet it is not something distant or extraordinary; rather, it exists close to us, or even within ourselves. With the widespread use of smartphones and social media, we live in a society where we can easily access the daily lives and values of others. The discomfort and hesitation that arise from these encounters can become reasons for rejection, but they can also serve as opportunities for understanding. The moment one perceives something as a “foreign body” reflects one’s own biases and cultural background, while simultaneously revealing that one may also be a “foreign body” to someone else. Makiko Horiuchi’s work can be seen as an attempt to give form to the tension and instability brought about by encounters with the foreign body. While this tension carries a sense of vulnerability, it also holds the potential to generate new perspectives, values, and relationships. Through this exhibition, we hope that time spent engaging with the works will offer viewers an opportunity to quietly reconsider the distance between themselves and others.