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We are pleased to announce that SHIKISAISHA will host Mayuno Kobayashi’s solo exhibition, “Delightful Abyss.” Mayuno Kobayashi skillfully uses traditional Japanese painting techniques to express a range of emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and those emerging from everyday life and memories—by projecting them onto animals and monsters. Her works feature a variety of characters, from real animals to imagined creatures, each reflecting human emotions and internal struggles. The cultural influences and values she has absorbed over the years are woven into her pieces, helping her craft a distinctive world. This exhibition, “Delightful Abyss,” draws inspiration from Nietzsche’s famous quote: “When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you,” and will present approximately 15 new works. The monsters Kobayashi creates reflect her inner self and symbolize the depths of the mind (the abyss). While these characters are born from a range of emotions, they are not portrayed negatively; instead, they appear as delightful and charming “inhabitants of the abyss.” We hope visitors will feel the gaze of these “inhabitants of the abyss” as they peer back from the canvas, and enjoy a sense of dialogue with them. In this mutual exchange of gazes, viewers will find themselves sharing a joyful and uplifting moment with these inhabitants. We warmly invite everyone to visit the exhibition and immerse themselves in Mayuno Kobayashi’s unique world. Artist Statement “I express the various emotions I encounter in daily life through animals and monsters. Using Japanese painting techniques, I aim to visualize the inner human experience and struggles by depicting strange yet delightful characters that are slightly removed from reality. These monsters are symbolic representations of the deeper parts of my own mind. Though they may appear strange at first glance, they carry within them a charm and humor. For me, these ‘inhabitants of the abyss’ reflect the depths of our emotions, but they are not dark; they possess a bright and delightful side. I hope that as viewers gaze upon these creatures, they find moments where they can confront the emotions and issues they hold within themselves.” — Mayuno Kobayashi