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The Arts Intel Report

A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler

Leiko Ikemura: Usagi in Wonderland

July 18 – Dec 12, 2021
University of East Anglia, Norfolk Road, Norwich NR4 7TJ

Usagi means “rabbit” in Japanese. For the Japanese-Swiss artist Leiko Ikemura, usagi also represents fertility, rebirth, and renewal. In the last three decades of her career, Ikemura has focused on nature, creating sculptures, paintings, and drawings that sees human forms, animal forms, and plant forms sharing a similar sentience. “My message is a visual and a sensual one,” she explains. “The exhibition is not just about the works but making space so people can breathe and be with art.” For her first exhibition in the U.K., Ikemura has chosen 50 career-defining works. —E.C.

Leiko Ikemura, “Usagi Kannon,” 2012 © Leiko Ikemura and VG Bild-Kunst 2021. Photo: Andreas Lang.