EMI KURAYA: HAPPY BUNNY
Perrotin Seoul is pleased to present Happy Bunny, a solo exhibition by Emi Kuraya, a rising young artist from Japan. This marks Kuraya’s second solo exhibition in Korea, following her 2021 show at the gallery, offering an opportunity to explore a diverse selection of her works, including new paintings and drawings.
March 13 – April 26, 2025
Kuraya seamlessly blends a manga-inspired sensibility with painterly precision to delicately capture the subtle emotions of her characters. Through meticulous composition and refined technique, she portrays familiar urban landscapes and fleeting moments of adolescence, drawing viewers into the inner worlds of her subjects. Through this approach, the artist invites us to reflect on the quiet beauty found in everyday life.
If you find yourself drawn to Emi Kuraya’s artworks, there are several compelling reasons for this attraction: the charm of the fragile girls and their pets, the tranquil scenes depicting the grayish cityscapes of Tokyo and its environs, and the hazy atmosphere that evokes a sense of childhood nostalgia—all of which contribute to their appeal. The list goes on, but beyond these instantly recognizable features, her works carry a sense of subtle sobriety and realism that sets them apart from the typically saccharine anime-inspired paintings. Although depicted as manga heroines, Kuraya’s girls capture a sense of presence that allows viewers to reach into the nuanced emotions of their adolescent minds.
The art world is finally catching up with the once-neglected genre of comics: the Centre Pompidou in Paris recently hosted Comics 1964-2024, a spectacular show of international comics and animations, making these popular visual forms officially institutionalized. Listed as one of the best shows of 2024 by Artforum, not only does its success affirm this, but the venue of the show also solidifies the medium’s legitimacy in the artistic sphere. Just as photography was once a loyal aide to fine art, later turning into a critical medium in itself, comics have maintained a close tie with fine art since Pop Art—or even since the caricatures of Daumier—and have now found their way to artistic autonomy.
An aspiring manga professional turned rising star painter, Kuraya creates an oeuvre that revives the classic role of figure painting: to bear witness to and preserve the contemporary worldview and emotions as a next-generation artist. Her works not only draw attention to the calm, quiet beauty of daily life but also open our eyes to the myriad indescribable emotions within us—a timeless role for painting.