Konoike Tomoko caught the world's attention with her "Story Series" (2004-2006) of massive paintings presented in reverse order from Chapter Four to Chapter One. In this solo exhibition, entitled "Inter-Traveller," Konoike discovers the roots of human imagination in the state of mind of a traveler who crosses various borders and travels to the center of the earth, an invisible world that lies at our feet. In addition to some of Konoike's best-known works featuring her signature creatures, including six-legged wolves, the ball-like faceless creature called “mimio,” leg-only children in red sneakers, and knives flying around the sky, the exhibition will incorporate a large installation comprising new works with sound. It will invite viewers on a trip via the center of the earth to discover the fount of imagination in our everyday world.

Selected Biography
Born in Akita Prefecture in 1960. Received B.A., in Japanese Traditional Painting, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1985. After working as a product and toy designer, Konoike has started her career as an artist with the massive painting series consisted of 4 chapters called “Story Series,” and showed them in group exhibitions held in Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, Mizuma Art Gallery in Tokyo and Ohara Museum of Art in Kurashiki since 2005. Other than participating in many exhibitions in and outside of Japan, Konoike also shows her talent in collaborating with other artists and curating exhibitions.

* The text provided by Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery.