In her latest exhibit, Keiko Yokoyama presents whimsical paintings of toys and childhood objects that reflect her recurring themes of idyll and nostalgia. “Kuma no Kokoro (The Heart of the Bear)” captures adventures and scenes that echo how we once might have played with dolls or stuffed animals.
Yokoyama’s bears leap and fall, explore, travel, and even ache. Each painting, while playful at first glance, seem to reveal deeper emotions of solitude, longing, and quiet joy, upon closer reflection. Her works suggest that playthings not only created alternate realities in the past, but can continue to shape our inner worlds today by inviting us to reminisce on simpler, more innocent memories.
Exhibition notes by Raphie Cordero
