Shinohara Pop Up!

Ushio and Noriko Shinohara
One day only: October 17, 6:30 pm
Artists will be in attendance

KHFA is thrilled to host a one-night engagement with artists Ushio and Noriko Shinohara to celebrate Ushio's participation as an exhibiting artist in the DMA's upcoming, highly-anticipated show International Pop. Stop by and meet them October 17 at 6:30 pm!

The Shinoharas have spent a good deal of time in the spotlight recently, as Zachary Heinzerling's documentary Cutie and the Boxer about them, their marriage, and their artwork was Oscar-nominated and received much praise and recognition. The popularity of this film once again made the public aware of this power couple's presence in the art world, as Ushio's work is forthcoming in the DMA's International Pop.

Despite Ushio and Noriko having vastly different artistic styles, something their art shares is raw emotive power. Ushio's high-energy action paintings, made by fiercely punching canvasses with paint-soaked boxing gloves, are perhaps what he is most well known for. Noriko's style is more self-evident, as it is quite clear to the viewer that her two main characters, Cutie and Bullie, are variations of herself and her husband. Noriko's raw, unsullied visual representation of her relationship with her husband makes it hard for the viewer to feel less than deeply moved by her cartoon-esque, ink-washed scenes.

They may be competitive, but it is impossible to deny that Ushio and Noriko are loyal to each other. They draw inspiration from each other in subtle and obvious ways and, due to their competitive nature, they always advise one another with constructive criticism, completely unafraid of injuring the other's ego. This honesty and openness makes for a prosperous artistic relationship as well as a successful (if sometimes toll-taking) marriage.