Renowned Japanese artist Kenji Yanobe is to hold a “SHIP’S CAT” exhibition, displaying a collection of large cat-shaped figures, at the Seaside Gallery in Luo Shan Feng Recreation Area in Pingtung County, from Saturday until Nov. 19, a statement issued by the county government said on Monday.
Yanobe, who has already arrived in Taiwan, brought three new cat-themed works with him; a 3.7m metal statue titled SHIP’S CAT (Ultra Muse), which shows a cat looking back as a reference to returning favors; a white SHIP’S CAT (Figurehead) work, which recreates a cat sitting on the bow of a ship and bringing luck to the crew; and the space-suited SHIP’S CAT (Mofumofu22) piece, which is in a pose reminiscent of that adopted by the Bodhidharma’s cat.
The three works, along with 10 more cat-themed figures and manuscripts to be displayed in Taiwan, have an estimated value of ￥200 million (US$1.37 million), according to the exhibition’s Web site.
Photo courtesy of the Pingtung County Government
Yanobe’s inspiration for creating the “SHIP’S CAT” collection draws from the animal’s auspicious existence on ships and navy vessels, especially at the seaport of his hometown, Osaka, the county government statement said.
Cats kill rats and thereby prevent them from damaging goods, or polluting food and water, which could cause disease that spreads through the crew during long journeys, it said.
Psychologically speaking, crew members often find comfort in having cats as companions, alleviating feelings of homesickness, it added.
Based on these concepts, the artist has created a world of cats that bring protection and care to human beings in the modern and future worlds, the statement said.
Yanobe, who is a professor at Kyoto University of the Arts, is also a pioneering artist who focuses on how people survive in modern society, through works that combine Japanese manga, animation and movies with special effects, it said.
The Japanese artist’s previous creations were inspired by witnessing the ruins of the once grand and futuristic exhibition of architecture and works at the 1970 Osaka World Exposition, while he also visited the suburbs near the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine to gain more creative inspiration, it added.
During the exhibition, the gallery will sell cat-themed gacha toys and other souvenirs, the statement said.
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