Bedside Stories: While You Sleep

Takahashi Maho was born in 1992 in Chiba. After working as a freelance illustrator and designer, he became an artist after working as a lecturer at an art college. Began active in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and created regardless of whether it was flat or three-dimensional. Mainly works using gold leaf are popular, and they are active both domestically and internationally. Major solo exhibitions include “SAN SEN SOU MOKU” (Roppongi Hills A/D Gallery, 2023). Participated in “TAIPEI DANGDAI 2023” (Taiwan), “Art Fair Tokyo 2022,” “ART BUSAN” (Korea, 2022), “ART TAIPEI 2022” (Taiwan), “ART 021 SHANGHAI” (Shanghai, 2022), etc. The characters that appear in Maho Takahashi's works are symbolic representations of contemporary girl figures. People who were born after the 1980s have grown up in an internet-centric environment, and they belong to the digital native generation where anime, manga, and games are familiar and have a significant influence on them.In Takahashi Maho's familiar content, the characters portrayed as unmistakable heroes and heroines, becoming the objects of our admiration, while also being depicted as strong and beautiful. Her depiction of girl characters, however, deviates from the typical appearance seen in what's known as otaku culture in Japan. Instead, she embraces a more simplistic and unadorned look. This could be attributed to her background in design, but it also seems to stem from a nostalgic attachment to her childhood. The foundation of Takahashi Maho’s work is rooted in the past experiences and memories that shaped her during childhood. The girl character "Ano Ko" appearing in her works serves as a visualization of the formative years when significant personalities are developed. Personality, influenced by the interplay of genetics and the environment, is believed to be shaped through changes and development, excluding external factors such as accidents or illnesses. Children, being innocent, are delicate and intricate beings due to their innocence.She likens it to a chrysalis before metamorphosis. All these memories and experiences form crucial pillars of growth and support for a person. Now, as adults, within the absurdities of society, the presence of 'Ano Ko' becomes a sanctuary for self-preservation, while her unique appearance, distinct from the conventional heroine, also symbolizes diversity. Her works primarily use "haku," a traditional Japanese technique involving gold leaf, which represents an illustrious and enduring idol from the past. Gold used since around 3,000 BC, has enthralled people's hearts as a metaphor for timeless value. Childhood memories and experiences hold a lasting significance, connecting to the present. Above all, it is also an image of her rural hometown. As autumn approaches, ripe ears of rice bow their heads and shine golden in the sunlight, a symbol of abundance, she says. She conveys these memories and experiences through the symbolism of gold. While evoking nostalgia, she uses it as a tool for contemporary expression. In recent years, the issue of diversity has come to the forefront, and we, too, are active participants in the modern world. Changing what has been etched into our DNA throughout history in just a few short years is a challenging task, but Takahashi believes that progress can be made, even one step at a time. She hopes for a future where we can acknowledge and embrace one another. Each time we embrace our younger selves, she believes peace comes closer. The modern girl figures she creates symbolize a yearning for peace and equality that emerges from a rich era.