TOKYOKO - 'peeking from the keyhole - the real style of a Tokyo woman' November 9, 2007

Kaoruko, known artistically as TOKYOKO, a fresh face from Japan's exciting young art scene asks her viewer's the question - "In a city like Tokyo, what kind of life style do most women live?" In Japan, women are expected to fulfill the Japanese ideal figure with a beautiful, modest and gentle manner. But is it their real style? Through her paintings, drawings and sculptures, TOKYOKO wants to show the real world of the Tokyo Girl we only see behind closed doors.

TOKYOKO images of this secret world are completely void of modesty, pretense and male presence What is responsible for the electric erotic energy her paintings and drawings are charged with? Does it come from the lithe, exposed figures themselves or the voyeuristic impulses of the viewer? Her images are a combination of sex and the sexless. Jonathan Goodman, in his accompanying essay notes that TOKYOKO's images show "pretty teens in their underwear; they lounge on couches, stand in baths, or sit on toilets. Their blank, blase emotions only intensify their distance from what they are: sweet but unattainable" ... "the viewer, who helplessly, hopelessly watches what he cannot have."

Formerly a teen Pop-Star, and her imagery is widely known in Tokyo's young art and pop scene. In addition to her exhibitions of artwork, she has produced music videos for top selling artists, created animated characters and titles for hit Japanese television shows on Nippon Television and Television Tokyo and in 2004, TOKYOKO produced and directed the independent short film "Indie Wars" for Nippon Television.

This is the artist's first solo show in the United States. The exhibition, TOKYOKO, will feature a wide collection of drawings, paintings, sculpture experimental video and inflatable work.

OPENING RECEPTION: NOV. 9, 6-8

No charge.

Official Website: http://www.ecfa.com