Konoike, Tomoko

Tomoko Konoike graduated "Geidai" or Tokyo University of Arts in 1985 and has started creating arts in 1997 after working as a merchandise design planner of toys and "zakka" (or general merchandise).

Photo: Mizuma Art Gallery

As you see in one of her works, she depicts realistic yet surrealistic images. In the west, animals are depicted as "animals" that are a creature less of a human. It is mostly depicted as an object to conquer. In Japan, animals have been depicted as representation of spirits of nature with respect. Humans are animals who lost certain senses and gained senses that is different from other animals.  Perhaps, Konoike painted this without having a concrete reason or explanation but with an intrinsic sense of what humans are and what the Japanese people have lost along the way to today.

More on Tomoko Konoike and her art:
http://mizuma-art.co.jp/artist/0100/index_e.php