The duo exhibition "Monster" features works based on that same theme, created through the unique expressive techniques of Shoko Mihira and Mayuno Kobayashi. Kobayashi harnesses Nihonga (Japanese painting) techniques to portray oscillations in emotion, memory and thought from everyday life, depicting these internal processes as animals, phantoms, monsters and the like. Both delicate subtlety and menace coexist in the one-of-a-kind visual interpretations which unfold on her canvasses. On contrast, Shoko Mihira re-creates experiences from daily life, social phenomena, and personal emotions in monster form, using a burner to shape borosilicate glass into singular, three-dimensional expressive forms. The glass shaped in ultra-hot flames is transparent while also exuding a marked feeling of tension, leaving a strong impression on the viewer. In addition to individual new works by the artists, this exhibition will feature collaborative pieces by both. Experience for yourself these novel incarnations of monsters, realized through the crossover of two- and three-dimensional forms as well as the disparate materials and approaches seen in Nihonga and glass art. Starting in advance of the exhibition period, works by the two artists will be shown in a first-store display window at GINZA SIX from Thursday, February 12 to Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

🔷Mayuno Kobayashi

Mayuno Kobayashi is an artist who employs the techniques of Nihonga (Japanese painting) to transform ambiguous and fluid images—arising from everyday life, memories, and emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure—into forms of animals and monsters. Her works feature a wide range of beings, from real animals to imaginary creatures, often depicted with a comical character. Each of these characters embodies human emotions and dilemmas, reflecting the complex inner world of the artist herself. By weaving into her practice the cultural influences she has absorbed and the domains she holds dear, Kobayashi constructs a distinctive worldview that captivates and draws viewers into her imaginative realm.