
Thinkspace presents Negative Never Again, an exhibition of new works from Japan based artist Yosuke Ueno, in what will be his debut solo exhibition with Thinkspace following numerous group show appearances. This will be Ueno’s first solo show in the United States in almost five years.
Also showing concurrently in their project room will be Waking In the Dark, an exhibition of new works from New York based artist Dan-ah Kim, in what will be her second solo exhibition with Thinkspace following a residency at the Can Serrat International Art Centre in El Bruc, Spain where the majority of this exhibition was created.
Yosuke Ueno creates illusory landscapes rife with icons both puzzling and perfect. He’s something of a cartographer, scientist and child all rolled into one. He’s an exclamation point splattered in paint, the person underneath the tablecloth at a boring party, weaving himself a story. His universe is a refreshing dose of positive elements and colossal hope he’d like to share with the entire world.
Ueno’s world is a menagerie of symbolism. Skulls, swans, elephants and scissors, they all pop out in peculiar places much like an image would in a hidden picture game. The difference is that these images stand for something precise. They too speak a language of innocence. With this show Ueno aims to further expand his world and visual vocabulary with some of his largest paintings to date and the addition of new sculptural works.

Artist Dan-ah Kim was recently rewarded a support stipend and completed an artist residency at Can Serrat International Art Centre in El Bruc, Spain. There she developed her new body of work, before traveling alone for several weeks and finding the overwhelming experiences necessary to finish the show. After years of battling with the elusiveness of sleep, this body of work came from many nights of waking in the dark. Dreams interrupted and peace ruined, in these hours there are always curiosities to stew, private demons to admit, and fears to command. As with Kim’s past work, the characters here chase liberty, explore relationships with each other, and with the natural worlds. In this series however, they also seek uncertainty, from a need to face nightly unrest and survive. The majority of Kim’s work is mixed media, beginning with drawing and painting then layered with various papers and hand sewn elements. Through these overlapping textures the artist hopes to enrich the experience of viewing the story.
Yosuke Ueno
‘Negative Never Again’
Main Gallery
Dan-ah Kim
‘Waking In The Dark’
Project Room
Both exhibits on view: July 9th – July 30th
Opening Reception: Fri, July 9th 7-10PM with both artists in attendance