MAOKA UEDA

The exhibition Folie à deux marks Maoka Ueda’s inaugural show in Taiwan at the Whitestone Gallery, presenting a diverse series of her works. Apart from continuing her iconic cartoon series, the theme of this exhibition is deeply inspired by nature, delving into the enigmatic mathematical beauty inherent in the hidden structural principles of the natural world. While individually viewed, nature and creatures may seem devoid of logical pattern, yet through varying perspectives and proportional scaling, the hidden geometric shapes emerge, such as the golden ratio, vortex flow and fractal structure. Reflecting self-similarity between nature and humanity, these elements repeat forms to create a semblance of the world, finding order within chaos. Through the law of nature and the harmonies of the universe, Maoka Ueda pursues reverence for the origin of life as well as the aesthetics of nature. Drawing from her mind’s eye, the artist liberates herself from self-boundaries, following the flow of her subconscious, akin to observing the swirling eddies of a river or the rhythmic swaying of trees in the wind, chaotic yet rhythmically turning. Emphasizing the dynamism generated by variations in linearity, her works are depicted through twisted distortions and radial mandala compositions, within the confines of circularity, providing a secure space for expressing catharsis and confronting inner anxieties. She portrays the lines as familiar figures in her childhood memory. However, facial features, body forms, and boundaries among characters in the works remain ambiguous, influenced by societal-cultural contexts and paradigms, colliding and merging with each other to foster integration and self-integrity. In another series, Maoka Ueda integrates elements of natural phenomena, applying diverse structures, colors and atmospheric sensations to depict phantasmal images in her mind. Each thread of imagery weaves into a dreamlike enigma, showcasing unconscious psychological projections brought from life experiences, inviting viewers to explore its connotations and engage in influencing one individual to another.