Tokyo Tails Exhibitions


Maison Pan is pleased to announce Tokyo Tails, a solo exhibition by French-Lebanese artist Marie Obegi.

Marie Obegi
Tokyo Tails
24 October - 10 November 2024
Maison Pan

Maison Pan is pleased to announce Tokyo Tails, a solo exhibition by French-Lebanese artist Marie Obegi, running from 24 October to 10 November 2024. Blending humour with drama, her cinematic paintings evoke the tension and aesthetic of Japanese films and Tokyo atmosphere, while adding a whimsical twist to the narrative with animal characters.
Obegi, who lives and works between London and Beirut, employs a cinematic language, which draws inspiration from Japanese neo-noir films, with Yakuza traits, but with an unexpected twist—cats and dogs take centre stage. Tokyo Tails is a new series of paintings that feature animated feline and canine characters on imagined sets within Tokyo’s neon-lit underworld. Obegi assembles a cast of characters, creating images with a heightened, stylized aesthetic that resemble film stills, capturing staged, cinematic moments. After spending two years in Japan, Obegi reveals a broad range of influences, including Japanese author and academic Akira Mizubayashi, traditional woodblock prints, and the American New Realism movement. Through these eclectic references, Obegi’s work explores the increasingly elusive nature of human connection.

In this compelling series, the artifice is intentional, highlighted by cliché subtitles that evoke classic cinematic moments. Building on techniques from previous works, Obegi incorporates Japanese subtitles, adding a layer of dissonance and intrigue. The oil paintings on wood transport viewers into a universe inhabited by anthropomorphic characters—cats known as the Osakats and their canine archenemies. Tokyo Tails pays homage to beloved pets, both past and present, weaving in nostalgic undertones inspired by Mizubayashi's reflective writing. This emotional depth is balanced by a playful narrative, encouraging viewers to explore a spectrum of emotions and experiences.

Obegi’s characters serve as powerful metaphors for both internal and external conflicts, making Tokyo Tails a visually compelling narrative rich in emotion and intricate detail. Though her settings vary, the series reflects her current focus on the importance of a playful approach to art, as she explains:
I began this series as a way to find joy in challenging times, initially exploring the contrast between consensual and non-consensual violence, influenced by the surrounding political climate. As the emotional weight of the work grew, I felt a need to shift focus and move away from painting people. Seeking respite, I turned to my love for Japan, as well as my affection for cats and dogs. What started as a simple sketch of a dog in a bar gradually unfolded into a playful narrative of territorial interactions between cats and dogs, set against vibrant Japanese backdrops, allowing me to immerse myself in aesthetics and rediscover the joy of painting.

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Notes to Editors

About Marie Obegi

Marie Obegi (b.1991, Paris) lives and works in between London, UK and Beirut, Lebanon.
Marie Obegi is a French-Lebanese artist and founder of Maison Pan. A graduate of Parsons The New School for Design (BFA, Illustration) and The New School for Social Research (MA, Liberal Studies), her work explores themes of connection, materiality, and storytelling. After living in Kyoto, Japan, where she worked with woodblock carving and Mokuhanga printing, she founded Maison Pan, an artist residency in Beirut and a space in London, fostering creative collaboration. Now based between London and Beirut, she focuses primarily on painting.

About Maison Pan

Maison Pan is an independent, artist-run space that supports artistic exchange and creative growth. With locations in both Beirut and London, it offers artist residencies, studios, and a project space for rent. The organisation focuses on fostering diverse artistic perspectives, providing artists with environments rich in cultural and creative inspiration. It is dedicated to nurturing artistic exploration through collaborations, exhibitions, and events in a variety of mediums.

Established in 2023, the space is focused on promoting a larger appreciation and engagement with the process of making art, making it accessible to both a local and global audience. Maison Pan spaces in Beirut and London provide a dynamic platform for artists to build dialogues with its growing network of international collaborators.


Exhibition details:
Artist: Marie Obegi
Exhibition Title: Tokyo Tails
Dates: 24 October – 10 November 2024
PV: Thursday 24 October, 6 – 8 pm
*Speakeasy bar available for the opening night
Address: Maison Pan, Hobhouse Court, Whitcomb St., WC2H 7HA

maisonpan.org

For all press enquiries, please contact:
Marina Cochrane | +447595326584 Marina.cochrane.arts@gmail.com" Target="_BLANK">br>Marina.cochrane.arts@gmail.com

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More details


Date(s)29 Oct - 10 Nov 2024
WebsiteVisit website
VenueMaison Pan
AddressHobhouse Court, Whitcomb St., London, Greater London,
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Main photo may be copyright © Marina Cochrane



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Disclaimer: This event is not organised by BritEvents, and we cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information provided, errors, or omissions. Always check the information provided before you book tickets.

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Event Details

Date29 Oct - 10 Nov 2024
Time(s)9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
CostFree
VenueMaison Pan
Hobhouse Court, Whitcomb St.
London
Greater London
WC2H7HA
Phone07595326584
CategoryExhibitions


Marina Cochrane

Added
29 Oct 2024

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