The “Terrible Artist”, SaiakuNana is Back in London with Her Solo Exhibition
SaiakuNana is a Japanese contemporary artist who has held solo exhibitions in New York, Tokyo and – in this year – Hong Kong, has returned in London.
@urbanadventurerldn 🩷💚🩷💚 [BLOG POST IN BIO] Japanese contemporary artist, @SAIAKUNANA has returned in London with her solo exhibition: DOKIDOKI 🩷🎸 She is famous for her paintings featuring a subject with seemingly child-like innocence, hiding rebellious soul underneath 📆 Until 2 Sept 2024 Wednesday – Sunday 1pm – 7pm until (the last day open from 1pm – 6pm) 📍7 Kensington Mall, London W8 4EB #saiakunana #japaneseartist #contemporaryart #japaneseculture #artexhibiton #kensington #exhibition #art #artistsoftiktok #artwork #popup #CapCut
About SaiakuNana
Photo: Urban Adventurer
SaikauNana was born and raised in Japan and her career as an artist had a bumpy beginning. She studied graphic design, but at that time she didn’t think she had talent. She chose graphic design because she thought she could get a job easier at a design agency once graduated but she didn’t really see a career path in front of herself.
Once her painting teacher told her that art and painting was not about being perfect, instead, its purpose was to express the personality, emotions and thoughts freely. This changed Nana’s life and helped her finding her own unique style.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Her artworks, however, were harshly criticised and labelled as terrible at her workplace later.
The word ‘terrible’ is ‘saiaku’ in Japanese, and Nana, instead of letting the criticism break her, she decided to add the term to her name.
SaiakuNana won the grand prize at the 21st Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art in 2018 and she used the money she’d got with the prize to hold her first solo exhibition in New York.
Today her artworks are often seen in music collaborations and publications. She also published her first art book ‘Art Rock Manifesto’ in 2019.
DOKIDOKI
7 Kensington Mall, London W8 4EB
Photo: Urban Adventurer
SaiakuNana is famous for her paintings featuring a subject with seemingly child-like innocence, hiding rebellious soul underneath. Now she is back in London for another solo exhibition in Kensington.
As a painter she deeply appreciate the way Hayao Miyazaki directs his films (Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle..)
Photo: Urban Adventurer
She is also known for her unique music, heavily influenced by Japanese rock band, Elephant Kashimashi and the Oasis.
She has never joined any gallery. Instead, she decided to set up her own gallery to showcase her unique works in her own way.
Every time she opens a new exhibition, she decorates her exhibition space by herself by painting and decorating all the walls inside and outside of the venue. She pains for days before the grand opening.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Her solo exhibition, DOKIDOKI opened in London on 10th August and is free to visit Wednesday – Sunday 1pm – 7pm until 2nd September 2024 (the last day open from 1pm – 6pm)
‘DokiDoki’ is a Japanese word for pounding heartbeat.
In terms of the exhibition ‘DokiDoki’ refers to the excitement and the joy SaiakuNana feels that she finally has had the opportunity to come back to London.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
“DOKIDOKI rhythms beating throughout my body – that’s something which can’t be bought with money. I would always choose the wild path. I trust and walk the path which makes my heart beat DOKIDOKI.” – she says in her Instagram post on how it feels returning to London.
Ready for your next adventure? Free Taylor Swift exhibition opened at V&A South Kensington the celebrate her iconic look on stage by showcasing costumes, accessories and instruments Taylor wore and played on during her concerts.
