Something, Perhaps

Gallery 60 NYC is pleased to present Something, Perhaps, a solo exhibition by Japanese artist Yuko Sekiguchi, continuing her annual presentation in New York following Fortunes in Color (2024) and Eight Times Rising (2025).

Sekiguchi is known for her vibrant crayon works inspired by familiar Japanese symbols of good fortune, particularly Daruma and Maneki-neko (beckoning cats). Last year, she expanded her Daruma paintings into a large-scale kamishibai, or Japanese paper theater, combining images, words, and storytelling through the theme of Nana-korobi Ya-oki, “fall down seven times, get up eight.”

This year, the Maneki-neko takes center stage.

Sekiguchi’s new seven-image kamishibai grew naturally from her previous project. Although the Daruma and Maneki-neko stories exist independently, their worlds occasionally meet, with characters making special appearances across the two stories. As Sekiguchi describes it, the new work is a story about the idea that “where there seems to be nothing, perhaps there is something.”

Working across large, medium, and small-scale crayon drawings, Sekiguchi approaches the familiar forms of Daruma and Maneki-neko with an intuitive sense of curiosity. A shape, an expression, or simply the thought, “What would happen if I drew it?” can become the starting point for a new work.

Through her continuing exhibitions in New York, Sekiguchi has found new directions in her practice and opportunities to experiment. Rather than asking viewers to search for a fixed interpretation, she invites them to approach the work much as she approaches her subjects herself: with curiosity, intuition, and a willingness to find something unexpected.

Yuko Sekiguchi

Yuko Sekiguchi (b. 1976, Japan) is a Japanese artist known for her vibrant crayon works that draw from childhood memories and traditional symbols of good fortune, such as the Maneki-neko and Daruma. Her art reflects a deep appreciation for everyday moments, rendered with playful color and emotional honesty. Guided by intuition, she transforms the overlooked into the joyful, inviting viewers to rediscover beauty in the ordinary.
Instagram: @yuko.sekiguchi.art

Gallery 60 NYC

Gallery 60 NYC is a contemporary art space located in the heart of New York City, committed to showcasing diverse artistic talents from around the world. The gallery serves as a platform for both emerging and established artists to engage with audiences through curated exhibitions and events.

Curated by Kiichi Takeuchi and Bing Lu, Exhibition Coordinator / Photographer: Bing Lu