Eimi Takano
Art Works
Bio
Eimi Takano is a Japan-based artist and former gallerist of Alice and Beanstalks Gallery (Tokyo).
Since 2003, she has exhibited internationally in both solo and group shows, including at Copro Gallery (California), Hive Gallery (Los Angeles), Clutter Gallery (New York), Stranger Factory (New Mexico), and Woot Bear (San Francisco).
In 2014, she collaborated with Sanrio for the Hello Kitty Museum exhibition in Los Angeles, and in 2017 she was selected as a finalist for the Designer Toy Awards’ “Breakthrough Artist” category.
Her works bridge kawaii sensibilities with surreal and ephemeral themes, forming a poetic universe where innocence and quiet strangeness coexist.
Through sculptures, plush creations, drawings, and character design, she expands imaginative worlds that resonate within both the pop surrealism and designer toy communities.
Working with a broad range of materials—including fabric, resin, wood, beads, thread, lace, and found objects—she combines diverse techniques to create sculptures, plush works, and character-based pieces. Her inspirations span animals, nature, science, vintage teddy bears, antiques, and traditional cultures from East and West, giving life to mysterious and imaginative beings.
Her signature sculptural series, Memory Bear, encapsulates “memories” and “hope for the future” within the eyes, while an alternate world or universe unfolds above the head.
Themes of continuity and eternity in time and space, the mysteries of nature and life, and a deep reverence for the world are woven throughout her work.
About Her Wprks
Art Toy
She makes cute but little weird characters.
The series named "Rice Ball Town."
It started in 2012.
Art (Sculpture)
She has one more signature series as a sculptor "Memory Bear" making since 2014. They have big innocent eyes with their memories and a little world on their head.
Art (Drawing)
She draws many weird characters with watercolor and color marking pen.
About Onigiri Hill
There are Onigiri Hill in the recesses of the mountains.
Many little creatures are living very happily in the beautiful Town.
Someone has a Donut face, and someone has an Onigiri head.
Another one has ears like a cat or a tail like a dog.
They all are a little bit strange, but they are all happy and peaceful.
One girl is reading a book all day long.
Another girl is enjoying a Zombie cosplay.
Some boy is watching stars every night.
Another boy is playing with insects.
They all are doing what they want to do.
But nobody doesn't interrupt them.
Because here is Onigiri Hill!!
When you want to be smiling, ride on a secret-train Onigiri line and visit the there secretly.
They will make your smile with their every style!!
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