CLAUDIA KOGACHI

Claudia Kogachi, born Awaji-Shima, Japan, in 1995 and now based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, is celebrated for her vibrant, stylised works that blend the everyday with the fantastical. Her paintings are rich with autobiographical detail, often portraying herself, her family, and her close relationships in scenarios that mix the real and the imagined. Through this approach, Kogachi explores the tension between domestic familiarity and surreal elements, inviting viewers into a world where life’s intimate moments unfold with a playful yet sincere touch.

As Kogachi approaches this astrological milestone, her new paintings map a journey of profound change. The works depict her as an individual navigating growth and part of a wider constellation of relationships. Through these pieces, she explores the dynamics of friendship, identity, and her place within her queer community.

The exhibition features several significant works, including Filth, a painting that captures the pulsing energy of a club scene where bodies and relationships interweave. In one of her large-scale self-portraits, Kogachi depicts herself submerged among koi fish, creating a meditative scene that speaks to moments of quiet introspection and the fluid nature of becoming.

Kogachi’s distinctive practice offers intimate portrayals that resonate with both personal narrative and universal experience. Her new work weaves individual stories into collective meaning, illuminating what Van Mei describes as ‘a constellation of lives that layer the night with bright speckles.’ These paintings stand as powerful meditations on connection, change, and the shared rhythm of life’s pivotal moments.

All the works feature custom frames with hand-painted stars, made by Claudia’s partner Josephine Jelicich. An exhibition text by Van Mei will accompany the show.