Dance tiger, dance! Three years after the tsunami is a joint exhibition by photographer Mayumi Hirata and painter/tattoo artist Horiren Ist. The exhibition has been scheduled to coincide with the 3rd anniversary of the tsunami in Japan. Its central theme is the ‘tiger dance’ (“tora-mai”) from the devastated town of Otsuchi in Iwate.
The exhibition will break with much of the downbeat imagery often associated with the tsunami and its aftermath and instead convey the energy of the people who decided to stay and rebuild their homes, whilst sharing a common bond of tiger dancing. Featuring traditional scroll paintings depicting tigers thriving in adversity and portraits of tiger dancers, as well as photographs of Otsuchi town, local festivals and actual tiger heads and costumes.
Runs 13-19 March 2014
Private view Thursday 13th March, 6-9pm
Live music, artist talk and Japanese tea party on Sunday 16th, 2-5pm
5th Base Gallery
23 Heneage Street
London E1 5LJ