- Dates
- —
- Curated by
- Hélène Kelmachter
Erina Matsui
Kawaii? Or the childhood of art
Teenagers in pleated skirts appearing in manga or characters like Hello Kitty are heroes of a new mythology present in popular imagery and are a symbol of a deep nostalgia for childhood. This longing becomes evident in an incredible enthusiasm for all things kawaii (‘cute’) but also reflects the discontent of Japanese society.
Erina Matsui (Okayama, 1984) is the youngest artist in the series. At just 23, she has already developed a deeply personal and striking artistic style that both fascinates and unsettles. Her self-portraits, uncompromising in their honesty, present her face in close-up, distorted by gestures. Representing her face, for Matsui, is a way to understand the world and its mysteries. Sometimes, she transforms into a mythical creature emerging from a field of mushrooms, and other times, she becomes a lunar figure among the stars and constellations. She often surrounds herself with toys, evoking the childhood world she has not fully left behind, or pastes a music box on the canvas, letting the nostalgic lullaby melody emerge. Fragile yet determined, Erina Matsui paints works that resemble herself. She speaks of her tastes and aspirations, portrays her family animals and her universe. The recurring figure of her uparupa, a surprising pink salamander – her fetish animal – is an image of herself: unexpected, alluring, and from afar.
Erina Matsui’s works reflect the profound nostalgia for childhood that characterises present-day Japanese society. A nostalgia that hides the discomfort of young people, who hesitate to step into adulthood and cling as much as they can to childhood. This tendency is reflected everywhere, from TV shows to fashion.
Erina Matsui exhibited in 2005 at the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, and her works are part of many collections, including that of designer Maurizio Galante.
Exhibition organised in collaboration with the Yamamoto Gendai Gallery, Tokyo.
