Michael Werner Gallery, New York is pleased to present Maki Na Kamura, the first solo exhibition in New York of Osaka-born, Berlin-based painter Maki Na Kamura.
Many critics have highlighted the competing polarities in the paintings of Na Kamura, namely the Japanese and Western influences, the abstract and figurative elements, the fact that she sees herself as a traditional painter and an artist of the 21st century, as well as the harmonious use of both tempera and oil paint, two materials traditionally labeled as distinct. While influence, style, and time are fluid for Na Kamura, she does not see her work as existing in a liminal space. Instead, the polarities are intentional and deliberately provoke the viewer.
Comprised of new paintings and works on paper, this exhibition follows a double solo show of Na Kamura’s work at Galerie Michael Werner and Contemporary Fine Arts in Berlin. In her new work, the artist continues to champion painting and explores diverse structures, from the compositions of Old Master paintings to the choreography of K-pop.
Maki Na Kamura studied at Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. She has been included in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Europe and Japan. Solo museum exhibitions have been held at Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens in Deurle, Belgium (2017); Osthaus Museum Hagen in Hagen, Germany (2017); Bilbao-Arte – centro de arte contemporáneo in Bilbao, Spain (2015); and Oldenburger Kunstverein in Oldenberg, Germany (2014). Na Kamura was awarded the Falkenrot Prize in 2013. Na Kamura lives and works in Berlin.
Maki Na Kamura opens to the public on Friday 17 November with an opening reception on Thursday 16 November from 6 to 8pm and will remain on view through Saturday 27 January. A full-color catalogue with text by John Yau will accompany the exhibition. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10AM to 6PM.
Maki Na Kamura
“OM IV”, 2022/2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
67 x 43 1/4 inches
170 x 110 cm
MNK 1076
Maki Na Kamura
“Camp VIII”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
63 x 78 3/4 inches
160 x 200 cm
MNK 1129
Maki Na Kamura
“Claim of Joseph I”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
82 3/4 x 63 inches
210 x 160 cm
MNK 1134
Maki Na Kamura
“Claim of Joseph II”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
82 3/4 x 63 inches
210 x 160 cm
MNK 1136
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit VI”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
67 x 43 1/4 inches
170 x 110 cm
MNK 1139
Maki Na Kamura
“Ed XXVII”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
78 3/4 x 63 inches
200 x 160 cm
MNK 1140
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit VIII”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
67 x 55 inches
170 x 140 cm
MNK 1144
Maki Na Kamura
“Claim of Joseph VIII”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
59 x 47 1/4 inches
150 x 120 cm
MNK 1160
Maki Na Kamura
“Shan Shui VI”, 2015/2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
59 x 78 3/4 inches
150 x 200 cm
MNK 1161
Maki Na Kamura
“Once Upon a Time IV”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
51 1/4 x 31 1/2 inches
130 x 80 cm
MNK 1170
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit XVII”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
82 3/4 x 55 inches
210 x 140 cm
MNK 1172
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit XIX”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
74 3/4 x 55 inches
190 x 140 cm
MNK 1174
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit XXI”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
82 3/4 x 63 inches
210 x 160 cm
MNK 1177
Maki Na Kamura
“Ed XXXII”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
23 1/2 x 17 3/4 inches
60 x 45 cm
MNK 1188
Maki Na Kamura
“Once Upon a Time IX”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
57 x 35 1/2 inches
145 x 90 cm
MNK 1190
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit XXIV”, 2023
Oil, tempera on canvas
74 3/4 x 55 inches
190 x 140 cm
MNK 1192
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit”, 2023
Charcoal on paper
27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches
70 x 50 cm
MNKG 9084
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit”, 2023
Charcoal on paper
27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches
70 x 50 cm
MNKG 9086
Maki Na Kamura
“OM”, 2023
Charcoal on paper
27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches
70 x 50 cm
MNKG 9087
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit”, 2023
Charcoal on paper
27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches
70 x 50 cm
MNKG 9088
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit”, 2023
Charcoal on paper
27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches
70 x 50 cm
MNKG 9089
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit”, 2023
Charcoal on paper
27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches
70 x 50 cm
MNKG 9092
Maki Na Kamura
“Unit”, 2023
Charcoal on paper
27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches
70 x 50 cm
MNKG 9094
