“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
The Wizard of OzJPS Gallery and Quiet Gallery proudly presents Japanese artist Kohei Ogawa’s latest solo exhibition Over the Rainbow, spanning both galleries’ exhibition spaces in Landmark Atrium, Hong Kong. Visitors will be taken on an enchanting and awe-inspiring adventure through a mesmerising world inspired by the timeless tale, The Wizard of Oz. Bringing together the iconic scenes and characters from the beloved masterpiece with his widely popular characters in his Green Cow
Garden series, Over the Rainbow breathes life into the beloved story and is guaranteed to be a visual feast for your senses.
The Wizard of Oz is not just a fantasy story about a girl and her dog trying to find their way back home but a parable that teaches the audience how the things they seek from elsewhere can already be found within them. Through this exhibition, Ogawa hopes to showcase how, although everyone has complexes and shortcomings, they will eventually learn to overcome them on this walk down the Yellow Brick Road they call life. Ogawa would be thrilled to have visitors join his characters on their journey to the Emerald City, and this exhibition will hopefully inspire joy on visitor’s path to self-discovery and personal growth.
The immersive exhibition presented at JPS Gallery begins with visitors entering a meticulous recreation of Dorothy’s room, where they will have the chance to step into Dorothy’s magical ruby slippers and journey through the mystical land of Oz. Guiding visitors through the whimsical exhibition with a lush green field is a yellow brick path that leads them towards the Ogawa’s interpretation of the glorious Emerald City, with its shimmering green hues and towering spires. Throughout the exhibition are canvas paintings of Ogawa’s friends from Green Cow Garden on their way to Emerald City, accompanied by the enchanting characters that populate the Land of Oz. Quiet Gallery’s presentation will be a remarkable extension of the exhibition, showcasing a vast collection of smaller artworks and exclusive figurines that are thematically aligned with the show’s overarching theme.
With his unique blend of realism and whimsy, Ogawa’s solo exhibition Over the Rainbow is a testament to his skill and artistry, capturing the essence of these beloved characters in a way that is both faithful to the original story and uniquely his own.
About Kohei Ogawa (B.1975)
Known for his handmade needle felt doll Green Cow Garden (2013) series, Kohei Ogawa is a versatile artist who brings his endearing characters and their world to his paintings, drawings and sculptures. His works often feature anthropomorphised animals and monster-like creatures.
Ogawa observes the beautiful elements in everyday life and takes inspiration from the seemingly mundane. When he created the popular Green Cow Garden series in 2013, he chose needle-felted wool as the primary creative material because the palm-sized works allowed people to feel warm when they held it in their hands. In 2015, he began to work with How2work and launched the Naughty Boy series. Like his preferred material, Ogawa’s works bring the audience a sense of warmth and treacly sentiment.
Born in 1975, Ogawa graduated from the Asagaya College of Art, Tokyo, in 1997. After graduating, he worked as a freelance illustrator to create illustrations for advertising companies, publishers and TV programmes. He is best known to art and toy collectors for his BG Bear character.
About JPS Gallery
Established in Hong Kong in 2014 and later in Tokyo, Paris and Barcelona, JPS Gallery is an independent contemporary art gallery presenting works of emerging and established artists from around the world.
The gallery is founded with a passionate spirit that dedicates to the new digital age and the exploration of the world of fine art and pop culture. We aim to create an innovative environment for a new generation of artists and collectors, fostering a creative space for all. We focus on fun and playful works of the era that spans across different mediums and disciplines, showcasing a discerning selection of works that embody the aesthetics of today.
We are committed to supporting the culture and art scene in Asia and Europe, creating a vibrant local art community. The gallery regularly presents works of emerging artists in our gallery spaces as well as international art fairs, giving them a platform to gain global exposure, supporting young artists to launch their careers. JPS Gallery has also been an active contributor to society and the local art scene by sponsoring various charity events and auctions.
Location
JPS Gallery
Shops 218-219, 2/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Quiet Gallery
Shop 1, B/F, BELOWGROUND, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
