VLAB is pleased to present the solo exhibition "INHALE, EXHALE" featuring new works by 16mei that have never before been shown in an exhibition. The presentation also marks the artist’s first exhibition with the gallery in Madrid.

The self-taught painter 16mei, born in 1995 in Japan, embarked on her artistic career firstly in 2017 with watercolors and in 2022 introduced acrylic colors to her paintings as well. After presenting her works in different Asian galleries and fairs such as Kiaf or Art Taipei, this is the first time that her works land in Spain.

Since she was a child, she has always been terrified of trees and plants because, from her imagination, they looked like ghosts. As the artist relates, "my house was surrounded by orchards and I was often frightened by the peach leaves fluttering in the house. Now almost everything is empty or residential and I'm no longer afraid, but sometimes I still think of the peach trees that grew where the new houses were built and the weeds swaying in the wind."

For this reason, the Japanese artist's works take us to a melancholic and fairy-tale atmosphere at the same time. Her works usually depict a young lady with large eyes and a thoughtful gaze, surrounded by flowers, nature or butterflies, sometimes with angel wings, and other times depicting a melting dreamy meadow.
In this exhibition, 16mei presents a series of acrylics and watercolors that reflect her childhood fears but at the same time portraying her values and beauty. As 16mei states, ‘you have to know how to look at the fear as if it were breathing and to speak directly to it.’

The exhibition "INHALE, EXHALE" will be on view at VLAB until May 27th, 2023.