Kanoko Takaya was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. She was first introduced to Indonesia’s vast variety of cultures through her mother, who would often visit Bali, Indonesia. Through these travels, her love for Indonesian culture blossomed. After graduating from Kyoto Seika, majoring in Visual Design, Kanoko moved to Indonesia in 2014. She continued her studies at Indonesia University of the Arts (ISI), Surakarta (Solo), Central Java. During her two years in Solo, Kanoko began uncovering traditional Indonesian culture in depth – particularly fascinated by the “Bobung” mask in Yogyakarta (Central Java) and the mask of Malang (East Java). The Indonesian masks captivated her through the many evocative expressions; differing from Japanese masks which show little expression in their detailed ornament. In her third year in Indonesia, Kanoko moved to Bali and worked as an in-house artist for Pithecanthropus under her own brand, Kanokon until late 2019.

Kanoko’s work falls between two ongoing themes referred to as the Indonesian Series and the Inner Series. Depicting local cultures through the lens of a Japanese artist living in Bali, the Indonesian Series visualize Kanoko’s youthful perspective. While the Inner Series showcases an array of mediums from stone sculptures, acrylic on paper and wood to acrylic stitched-foamed canvases. Kanoko’s fluid use of materials is part of a dynamic exploration into the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. Instinctively Kanoko’s abstracted lines draw inspiration from the natural world. Organic curvatures of the filled canvas from visual rhythm suggestive of reproductive organs. Her approach is not to speak of the biological function of such matter, but rather to illuminate the solemn wisdom of nature as they birth life forces unconditionally.

SOLO EXHIBITION

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‘Te To Te’ – Okyaku Gallery, Kochi, Japan

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‘Kune Kune’ – Semarang Gallery, Semarang, Indonesia

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‘Naluri Arus: Instinct of the Current’ – Artsphere Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia

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‘Lucky Indonesia’ – H2O gallery, Kyoto, Japan

GROUP EXHIBITION

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‘TITICARA’ – ISA Art Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
‘TITICARA’ – Selasar Sunaryo Art Space, Bandung, Indonesia

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“Time Capsule” – CANS Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
‘Take Me Back (to the Future) – Project SUKU, Bali, Indonesia
‘Nandur Srawung 8’ – Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
‘SENSING SENSATION’ – Semarang Gallery, Semarang, Indonesia
‘Project Mei Private Viewing ’ – Jakarta, Indonesia

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‘Pegang – Pegang’ – Titik Dua, Bali, Indonesia
‘OPPO Art Jakarta Virtual 2020’ – Bale Project, Bandung, Indonesia
‘OPPO Art Jakarta Virtual 2020’ – RUCI Art Space, Jakarta Indonesia
‘ASMR Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response’ – D Gallerie, Jakarta Indonesia
‘Project Mei Virtual Exhibition’ – Jakarta, Indonesia
‘EQUIDISTANT’ – Kohesi Initiatives, Jogjakarta, Indonesia

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‘ARTSTARTUP100’ – Daikanyama Hill Side Terrace F Building, Tokyo, Japan
‘Pluralism’ – Soup n´film, Jakarta, Indonesia

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‘Main-Main with Kentaro Okawara’ – Rumah23, Bali, Indonesia
‘Sorry No Guestlist’ – Anagra Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

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‘Primitive Emotion’ – Studio Eksotika, Bali, Indonesia
‘23 Count Down Project’ – Villa Rumah Dua Tiga, Bali, Indonesia
‘Seed Of Memory’ – Langgeng Art Foundation, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
‘Bare Journal’ – Cataodata, Bali, Indonesia

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‘IMF Ubud International Festival’ – ARMA Museum, Bali, Indonesia
‘MASKS’ – DIESEL ART GALLERY, Tokyo, Japan
‘ABANDONED TREASURE’ – House Bay Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia ‘GARA-GARA MOTIF’ – ASP Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
‘Macam-Macam Kanoko Takaya and Sigit Pamungkas’ – H2O gallery, Kyoto, Japan

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‘Surprise #9 Kriya Proudly Present’ – Taman Budaya, Solo, Indonesia
‘Gunungan International Mask & Puppets Festival – Kota Baru Parahyangan, Bandung, Indonesia

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‘ARTch!持ち腐れと、誰が言った。展’ – Tukuru Buil, Kyoto, Japan

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‘Creation 7 Kyoto Seika University’ – Antenna Media, Kyoto, Japan

©2022 Kanoko Takaya