face oka Blends Art, Puppetry and Satire in ‘THE KIDDING HEADS’

Summary

face oka’s THE KIDDING HEADS exhibition features his first puppet works
Collaboration T-shirts featuring designs inspired by the artworks are available for purchase
The exhibition will take place Mister hollywood – the newly venue in Harajuku

Japanese artist and illustrator face oka is set to present his solo exhibition, THE KIDDING HEADS, at Mister hollywood – the newly in Harajuku, following its earlier showcase in Osaka. THE KIDDING HEADS will focus on puppet-based works, marking face oka’s first foray into the craft and medium, thus expanding his artistic repertoire beyond his signature satirical illustrations and sculptures.

In tandem with the solo showcase, a collaboration T-shirt will be available for purchase, offering two distinct designs. One features the KIDDING HEADS logo in a typeface that’s reminiscent of retro kids’ TV shows. Meanwhile, the other variant depicts a quartet of KIDDING HEADS characters in a passport-style photo layout. The latter style will be available in black and white, while the first design will come in white and blue, each priced at ¥12,100 JPY (approx. $84 USD).

Reflecting on his creative process, face oka shared his long-standing admiration for puppet-based shows such as Sesame Street, ALF, Hatch Potch Station and Nyanchoo. He expressed a desire to explore puppetry as a form of self-expression, inspired by artists who continuously experimented with different styles rather than adhering to a single approach. By crafting his own puppets, he aims to preserve the purity of his artistic vision, rather than relying on external creators who might unintentionally alter his original concept.

THE KIDDING HEADS represents a bold new direction for face oka, blending playfulness with introspection. The exhibition will run from May 30 – June 15, 2025 at Mister hollywood – the newly location.

Mister hollywood – the newly
3F, 4-13-16, Jingumae, Shibuya
Tokyo, Japan