Mina Tabei is an art director and graphic designer. The books and packages that she designs have a cool dignity and yet also a bright and gentle quality. Although they are not ostentatious, they have the power to captivate people's attention.
While each of her designs created to fulfill a purpose has its own unique appearance, when viewed collectively they seem to be connected in a circle that can be called “TabeiMina-ism.”
The energy radiating from the center of this circle is her experimental work, correlating with the LIGHT and FIGURE of the exhibition title.
Mina Tabei began her career under Kazunari Hattori, then pursued her own form of visual expression after going independent. After much searching, she arrived at the idea of incorporating the allure of the world outside the scope of predetermined harmony, a world that can be found in photographic expression. The phenomenon of “light and shadow”—and the unpredictability of its appearance in the three-dimensional world—is something that she could not control by her own will, and she immersed herself in the task of capturing this phenomenon on the two-dimensional surface of paper. It was a task that took much time and perseverance.
Tabei says that even she is surprised when an image emerges that goes beyond her imagination. When such thrilling moments in time—along with the physical sensations—are projected onto her works, the resulting depth may be what gives the works the power to captivate those who encounter them.
Tabei has been working on the LIGHT and FIGURE experimental series since 2017, and this exhibition will unveil the latest pieces in a way that allows visitors to experience them throughout the various spaces of the gallery. It will also showcase her graphic design work, including books, packaging, and posters that she has designed. By presenting both aspects of her work, the exhibition will find the essence of “TabeiMina-ism.”