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AIKO

JapaneseJapanese
, b. 1975

Renowned Japanese-born street artist AIKO, also known as LADY AIKO, commenced her artistic journey on the vibrant canvases of New York City's Lower East Side during the late 90s. A pivotal member of the groundbreaking "FAILE" collective, she collaborated with luminaries such as BAST, Banksy, Ben Eine, and Shepard Fairey before embarking on a solo career in 2006. AIKO's distinctive hand-cut stencil creations featuring bunnies, alluring butterfly ladies, and romantic figures adorn cities across the globe. Her art seamlessly fuses an eclectic blend of Japanese and American pop culture, drawing inspiration from the streets of N.Y.C., traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock printing, the "Kawaii" (cute) culture, and global representations of female sensuality. Acknowledged as one of the most significant artists of the new millennium, AIKO commands respect not only in the contemporary art realm but also within the global graffiti and street art community. AIKO's impact extends beyond her visual creations, as evidenced by her collaboration with Banksy on the Oscar-nominated documentary film, "Exit Through the Gift Shop," in 2005. In 2008, she joined forces with subway art legend Lady Pink for a two-person show titled "Brick Ladies" in Brooklyn. Pioneering the urban art movement for over two decades, AIKO has left her mark on cityscapes worldwide, from Shanghai to Dubai to Johannesburg. Notable projects include large-scale murals at Miami's Wynwood Walls in 2009 and 2015. In 2012, AIKO achieved the distinction of being the first woman selected to paint the Bowery Wall in New York's Lower East Side, a site initially brought to prominence by Keith Haring in 1982. Her artistic prowess has garnered attention from influential figures, including a commission from former First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as collaborations with esteemed fashion brands like Fendi and Louis Vuitton. AIKO's works have graced the walls of prestigious institutions such as MOCA L.A., Shanghai MOCA China, the Brooklyn Museum N.Y., and the Shizuoka Tokaido Hiroshige Museum in Japan, solidifying her legacy in major museums and galleries worldwide.