Whitestone Gallery is excited to announce Story Keepers: Tales and Traditions, an exhibition that celebrates the timeless influence of storytelling across Japan. Through contemporary art, the exhibition delves into key themes of transformation, spirituality, and identity, offering fresh interpretations of traditional stories. This captivating show explores how ancient tales and folklore have shaped, and evolved, yet continue to resonate in the modern world.

At the core of this exhibition are spiritual, transformative, and symbolic elements embedded in tales from Japan. These stories are rich in metaphor, and are interwoven with the human experience, nature, and the unseen forces that shape and inhabit our universe simultaneously. By uncovering the dynamic connections that bind the past with the present, Story Keepers: Tales and Traditions highlights the enduring power of these narratives, encouraging audiences to consider their lasting impact on both personal and collective identities.

Gathering five contemporary artists: C.K Koh, Kazuyuki Futagawa, Maoka Ueda, Masatake Kozaki, and Yoshiaki Nakamura, the artists of Story Keepers: Tales and Traditions portray their reinterpretations of these traditional narratives through their unique artistic practices; each offering a unique artistic interpretation of stories. Together, their works explore the central motifs in ancient legends, while remaining relevant to foster a dialogue between the archaic and contemporary.

C.K Koh developed his signature Box Head character as a response to the myth of Pandora's Box, symbolizing the search for hidden hope amidst the monstrous, grotesque, and imperfect aspects of the world. Koh navigates the complexities of life through children's books and illustrations, as the stories delve into themes of hope in an imperfect world, the structure of truth and deceit, and the eternal battle between what is right and wrong; he offers his critical reflection on modern societal, political, and cultural environments.

C.K Koh, Bogged Down (2023) , Oil on Linen, 110.0 x 155.0 cm

Kazuyuki Futagawa’s works blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary abstraction, exploring the cycles of life and the theory of renewal—a concept foundational to many myths. His intricate paintings of traditional landscapes paired with the use of human silhouettes evoke a sense of mystery, reflecting the deep interconnection between nature, humans, and spiritual forces. Through symbolic abstraction, Futagawa invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between everlasting nature and temporal human kind, suggesting that the everlasting process of change found in folklore is still deeply embedded in our world today.

Yoshiaki Nakamura’s vibrant works explore the duality of existence, drawing inspiration from his contemplation of the relationship between God and man, as well as the meaning of the universe. The butterfly, a central motif in his art, symbolizes both the turmoil he has endured and the hope he has found—a metaphor that resonates not only with ancient Japanese traditions, but also with today’s world of uncertainty. For Nakamura, the butterfly represents an animistic spirit that serves as a beacon of optimism amidst life's challenges, embodying the cycle of life.

Maoka Ueda’s ethereal compositions capture the ephemeral essence of Japanese folklore, where she portrays spiritual journeys and encounters with kami—spirits of nature in Japanese belief, as well as Japan’s Shinto tradition, where all things are seen as imbued with spiritual energy. Ueda softens the unsaid tension in these tales, encouraging audiences to look beyond their unsettling aspects, by creating an environment to confront the subtle eerie contexts inherent in many narratives, inviting an acceptance towards these stories as a whole. Her art offers a visual experience that encourages pondering on the profound and often unseen connections between nature, spirit, and self. Through this approach, Ueda brings to life the intangible qualities of her culture’s legends, highlighting the temporal and the ever-changing nature of existence.

Masatake Kozaki’s work bridges traditional Japanese cultural elements with modern techniques, blending rich materials such as mineral pigments, gold, and silver leaves to create dynamic visual textures. His paintings often feature motifs such as Kokeshi and Daruma dolls, as well as landscapes from his native Japanese region, Tohoku. He captures the essence of local traditions and narratives passed down, exploring tougen-kyo—the mythical concept of an earthly paradise, refl ecting upon his engagement with the idea of timelessness, inviting viewers to refl ect on his contemporary interpretation of the enduring power of these stories.

Story Keepers: Tales and Traditions seeks to exemplify how a single narrative can be reinterpreted in diverse ways through art, bridging the gap between traditional and modern life. Experience how these fi ve artists off er their unique and fresh perspective on olden narratives at Whitestone Gallery Singapore today.