"With a body of work that spans paintings, drawings, multiples, and large-scale installations, Hanai experimented with a new painting technique for this exhibition-stretching sheets of paper over wooden panels and then using gouache to achieve richly saturated hues and thick gauzy linework. Using this technique, the artist was able to relish the moments where colors spill over the edge of a line or accidentally mix in unexpected ways."
"A rambunctious crowd of original characters populates the exhibition. From human protagonists to anthropomorphic animals, Hanai's subjects tease each other, offer mutual praise, face unforeseen challenges, give heartfelt encouragement, and partake in moments of collaboration. Each image captures a moment imbued with something slightly odd or maybe a little silly, and while the subjects may appear melancholic or unsettled, their interactions are full of warmth."
Yusuke Hanai presents new works on paper at Pace Prints titled Perseverance, on view through December 20, 2025. The works reinterpret 1960s underground comics and retro-Americana surf aesthetics through a Japanese sensibility. Hanai stretched paper over wooden panels and used gouache to create richly saturated hues and gauzy linework, embracing color spills and accidental mixes. A cast of human and anthropomorphic characters enact playful, odd, and sometimes melancholic scenes that emphasize warmth, collaboration, and mutual support. The works stage moments of adversity and small comforts, suggesting resilience and the capacity to overcome failures through individual and collective perseverance.
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