Aya Takano

signed in English and dated 2006 on the reverse



 

Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Paris & Miami

 

Lyon, Musée d'Art Contemporain de Lyon, Chiho Aoshima, Mr. et Aya Takano, September-December 2006, illustrated in colour, pp. 174-175

The work is generally in good condition. There are no apparent condition issues with the work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Drawing heavily from the thematic tradition of Japanese shunga (erotic paintings), Aya Takano's ongoing endeavour of portraying androgynous figures who unabashedly flaunt their sexuality is perhaps the most accurate, candid expression of the otaku sensibility.  Seaside Kitchen in all its daring and explicit content, is without a doubt one of the finest examples.  The sweet palette coupled with the primitiveness of drawing amount to an alarming disjuncture with the subject matter. An arbitrary insertion of male genitalia from the left, a cavalier toying with the main figure's nether regions in the center and a head splattered with a mysterious, white substance on the right—rising above and beyond sexual innuendoes, Takano cloaks her graphic content only with a thin veil of cursory cuteness.  Running furiously beneath is an undercurrent of protest and anguish that characterizes the oppressed existence of girls in an exceedingly patriarchal society.