WHAAM! Presents Ancco’s First US Solo Exhibition ‘Turnover’

WHAAM! gallery has unveiled Turnover, the first US solo exhibition by Japan-based artist ancco. Showcasing a new series of ceramic sculptures within an immersive installation, Turnover delves into themes of time, transformation and resilience, weaving together personal and societal cycles into an introspective body of work.

Rooted in her lived experiences, ancco’s work is shaped by her battle with atopic eczema. She explores the accelerated pace of decay, whether in the body or in society and how it influences her creative process. Drawing a parallel between the rapid turnover of her own skin and the relentless churn of modern culture, she transforms personal affliction into artistic expression.

A key inspiration for Turnover comes from old mass-produced toys and stuffed animals ancco discovered during late-night eBay browsing. Worn yet cherished, these objects bear traces of their histories – faded patches, fingerprints and scars that serve as emblems of endurance. Her ceramic sculptures embrace this same imperfection, with cracks and color variations that highlight the beauty of deterioration.

Moths appear as a recurring motif, embodying both affliction and aesthetic fascination. As a trigger for her skin condition, they symbolize an intimate link between her body and the external world. Likewise, ancco’s fascination with dollhouses allows her to manipulate time and space, constructing microcosms where she can momentarily suspend the relentless pace of reality.

The exhibition is on view until April 5 at WHAAM! in New Yor.

WHAAM!
15 Elizabeth Street, #113 New York, NY 10013