Exhibitions | MAKI Gallery | MAKI

We are pleased to present UNLOGICAL, Kugenuma, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa-based artist baanai’s first solo exhibition at MAKI Gallery. Following Connect #1—a three-person group show held in January of 2021 where baanai exhibited several paintings—the artist will hold his largest presentation to date at our Tennoz II gallery space.
Since 2017, baanai continues to build his artistic practice around repeatedly painting the words ‘ARIGATOUGOZAIMASU’ (translating to ‘Thank you’ in Japanese) on canvas. Bold, mesmerizing block letters fill every available space, oftentimes overlapping one another to the point where letters frequently become hidden, abstracted, and almost unrecognizable. Thus far, baanai’s work exuded a punchy and dizzying effect, perhaps erroneously evoking the impression of an equally boisterous and flashy artist behind these vibrant, multicolored paintings. For his debut solo exhibition—amidst a selection of colorful works—many of the works embrace a quieter tone, perhaps more accurately reflecting the artist himself, one who looks straight ahead and gently outpours gratitude towards all.