Maeda Saki Interplay

MISA SHIN GALLERY is pleased to announce Maeda Saki’s solo exhibition Interplay, on view from Saturday, May 10 to Saturday, June 7. The exhibition introduces a new body of work, including Maeda’s first exploration into drawing. Known for her abstract oil paintings, her practice has deepened in recent years, and this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to present the current trajectory of the artist’s work.

At the core of Maeda’s work lies a subtle yet dynamic tension and harmony that arises between composition and chance, abstraction and materiality, and sensation and reason. Diagonal lines that cut across the canvas, overlapping layers of triangles, and precisely controlled fields of color together form structures that are simultaneously balanced and bear the potential for constant transformation. The quiet depth that emerges from the surface evokes sensations of moving between two- and three-dimensional space, reminiscent of afterimages of perspective drawings or unfolded origami patterns.

A particularly notable aspect of Maeda’s work is her distinctive use of the painting knife. The resulting textures veil the surface like frosted glass, inviting viewers to imagine what lies beneath. Her color palette—anchored in blues and complemented by gold, silver, white, and black—creates optical fluctuations that invert light and shadow, foreground and background, adding layers of depth to the viewing experience.

The newly presented drawings emphasize improvisation and lightness, revealing a distinct quality from her oil paintings. While the media and techniques differ, the compositional sharpness and quiet tension inherent in the surface of the paper function as a basso continuo running through Maeda’s work, illuminating the trajectory of her conceptual thinking.

The exhibition title Interplay signifies “mutual influence” and “interaction.” Without merging, elements such as oil painting and drawing, line and surface, matière and physicality resonate, expanding the world of Maeda’s work. This exhibition invites viewers to engage with her latest exploration and the rich dialogue embedded in her practice.