BODIES

12.05.2026

KEY HIRAGA’S ROOM
1970’s Works
7 May – 16 July 2026

The eyes in the works of Key Hiraga are among the most recurring elements of his painting. They often appear wide open, multiplied, and dispersed across the bodies, turning the figures into surfaces traversed by gaze. They are not mere anatomical details, but symbols of desire, curiosity, and engagement, capable of creating an immediate connection with the viewer.

Their presence reflects the impact of postwar media culture, including advertising, television, comics, and American visual aesthetics, which permeates everyday life and renders perception continuous. In his paintings, seeing is not only an individual act, but a shared experience: the figures seem to absorb images without pause, much like contemporary life itself, shaped by overlapping stimuli and memories.

The eyes also take on a playful quality. Through their repetition, Hiraga creates a visionary atmosphere that can feel familiar, inviting the viewer to engage with the colour, irony, and energy of his images. In this way, his works speak not only of a collective visual culture, but also of the human capacity to look and to recognize oneself in others.

Pictures: Key Hiraga, Untitled, 1971, oil on canvas, details, 130 × 165 cm.

Italy–Japan is held under the patronage of the Consulate General of Japan in Milan.

Monday – Friday
11:00 am – 1:00 pm | 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Saturday by appointment

Info: press@studiogariboldi.com
www.studiogariboldi.com
Corso Monforte 23, Milan