Yoko Tanaka

Artist Bio

Thailand based artist Yoko Tanaka creates haunting acrylic paintings that explore the relationship between human and animal life. Her work features human-like and non-human creatures that exist in somber, fanciful landscapes. In these works, Tanaka urges the viewer to compare the animal lives depicted in her paintings to our own. The creatures in Tanaka’s paintings are humanized; rabbits are shown playing children’s games and wearing clothing, suggesting that these creatures are not so removed from us. However, the artist also seems to be saying that the border between the animal and human worlds is still ambiguous. While the rabbits personify human traits, they still lack the self-awareness, rationality and culture of humans and they appear awkward and almost uncomfortable. It is up to the viewer to consider these opposing points of view. (bio)

Yoko Tanaka’s Website

Yoko Tanaka at Billy Shire Fine Arts