Giant Robot 2 presents mograg DIRECT – Across the Universe –, a group exhibition showcasing artists from Japan’s mograg gallery. The exhibition opens on Saturday, May 16, 2026, with artwork available online beginning at 12:00pm PT. Reception 6-9pm
To mark the opening, a live Instagram tour will be hosted via Instagram on the @giantrobot account, offering an inside look at the exhibition and participating artists.
The exhibition features work by HAMADARAKA (Eru Arizono and Emu Arizono), Johnny Akihito Noda, Kouichi Matsuda, Masayoshi Hanawa, oki-chu, PICOPICO, and Sasaku Kusuriyubi.
mograg DIRECT – Across the Universe – highlights the vibrant and playful energy of contemporary Japanese illustration and painting, bringing together a diverse range of styles rooted in pop, surreal, and character driven work.
The exhibition will be on view from May 16 through June 2, 2026.
The event takes place at Giant Robot 2, located at 2062 Sawtelle Blvd in Los Angeles.
mograg gallery Profile
Founded in 2008 by Motoko Ota (Owner) and oki-chu. (Painter / Director), the gallery is currently based in Okachimachi, Tokyo. While primarily focusing on painting, it plans and operates exhibitions by artists who are not bound by categories or specific forms of expression, and also develops projects that translate these works into various products.
The gallery’s core concept is “Japanese Lowbrow Art.” Rather than what is considered mainstream “high art,” it embraces art that emerges from its periphery—art of the people. By doing so, the gallery aims to communicate the direct joy and excitement of “drawing” and “viewing” art, offering encounters with what can be described as art driven by personal taste and sensibility.
Instagram : @mograggallery
Participating Artists
HAMADARAKA (Eru Arizono / Emu Arizono)
@eruhamadaraka / @emuhamadaraka
Johnny Akihito Noda @wc_johnny
Kouichi Matsuda ![]()
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![]()
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@kouchi_matsuda_
Masayoshi Hanawa @masayoshihanawa
oki-chu. @oki.chu
PICOPICO @picopicoshimbun
Sasaku Kusuriyubi @kusuriyubi339
HAMADARAKA
(Eru Arizono / Emu Arizono)
The duo painter consisting of the twins, Eru Arizono and Emu Arizono. They use various tools to express their paintings based on the theme of "a paradise created by mixing impossible creatures and time" and "a world that exists between this world and utopia". In addition to solo exhibitions in Japan, they have participated in art projects in France, the Netherlands, New York, Beijing, Taipei, Germany, Belgium, and Brazil (National Museum of the Brazilian Republic). In 2018 they held their solo exhibition "EDENDORDORADO" at DIESEL ART GALLERY. They participated in the Residency Program at the Qingyun International Art Center in Beijing, and produced murals for "DoDo Café" in Rotterdam, "Café Pförtner" in Berlin, “Jidar - Rabat Street Art Festival” in Morocco. They have been actively exhibiting their works in Japan and abroad. They have done costume artwork for "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" John Cameron Mitchell's concerts in Japan, album artwork and apparel in Japan and abroad. The art book "YAUYAUPARAISO" was published by ERECT lab.
Instagram: @eruhamadaraka / @emuhamadaraka
Johnny Akihito Noda
Born near Nagoya, Japan in 1985. At 20, struck by a monster painting he saw in an LA gallery, he began painting experimentally. In 2011 he moved to America to directly immerse in lowbrow art. Following 5 years of artistic output in California, he now has Nagoya as home base for energetically putting on exhibitions both in Japan and abroad. He steadily produces a stream of freaky characters who are just too charming to dislike.
Instagram: @wc_johnny
Kouichi Matsuda
Manga artist
Born 24 December 1994
2020: Honourable Mention, 22nd AX Manga Newcomer Award
2024: Publication of the manga Destiny
An artist who carries on the legacy of Garo (a manga magazine considered the origin of Japan’s alternative comics scene) through his distinctive linework and colour palette.
Instagram: @KOUICHI_MATSUDA_
Masayoshi Hanawa
Born 1981 in Ibaraki, Japan. Self-taught in painting, he began showing his works on the streets of Tokyo around 2005. He has had solo exhibitions at LOOP HOLE, ZENSHI, mograg, Aquvii, Atsuko barouh, TACO ché, Trance pop Gallery, and others. He has participated in numerous exhibitions in Japan and abroad. In 2015, he was on the cover of "HEY!", the best lowbrow art book from Paris. In 2017, he exhibited at the Outsider Art Fair in Paris with Atsuko barouh booth. His work is in the collection of the Hermitage Museum Outsider Art Museum in Amsterdam. In 2018, the art book was published by Le Dernier Cri, a silkscreen graphic publishing arts collective in Marseille, France. In 2019, he was the only Japanese artist to participate in “HEY! #4" held at the Halle Saint Pierre Museum in Paris. In 2022, the art book "MONSTERS 2" was published by Le Dernier Cri, a silkscreen graphic publishing arts collective in Marseille, France. In 2025, the art book Monstroll was published by Kousakusha.
Instagram: @masayoshihanawa
oki-chu.
Born in 1979. Artist, acrylic painter. Works in an art style known as automatism, in which the subconscious guides the artist’s creative process. It begins with pencil, letting himself draw lines without thinking, and then finds forms and motifs in the work that he brings out in pen, and finally, connect on the colorful and humorous brain world. Also he runs mograg gallery with co-founder Motoko Ohta in Tokyo. Teaming up with interesting artists, they propose “Japanese lowbrow art” as an attitude to enjoy the very current art.
Instagram: @oki.chu
PICOPICO
Figure prototype modeler, monster artist. He has been creating works in various genres based on the theme of “Kaiju-monsters". His unique monsters with unparalleled originality are called "PICOPICO Kaiju" and have attracted the attention of the world. Published "PICOPICO Kaiju Encyclopedia” in 2021.
Instagram: @picopicoshimbun
Sasaku Kusuriyubi
Painter living in Wakayama, Japan. The motifs of her paintings are original landscapes and dear neighbors, and the main axis of her work is daily miscellaneous notes.
Instagram: @kusuriyubi339
mograg gallery
Founded in 2008 by Motoko Ota (Owner) and oki-chu. (Painter / Director), the gallery is currently based in Okachimachi, Tokyo. While primarily focusing on painting, it plans and operates exhibitions by artists who are not bound by categories or specific forms of expression, and also develops projects that translate these works into various products.
The gallery’s core concept is “Japanese Lowbrow Art.” Rather than what is considered mainstream “high art,” it embraces art that emerges from its periphery—art of the people. By doing so, the gallery aims to communicate the direct joy and excitement of “drawing” and “viewing” art, offering encounters with what can be described as art driven by personal taste and sensibility.
Instagram: @mograggallery
mograg DIRECT: Across the Universe at GR2, Opening May 16 at 12pm PT
Giant Robot 2 presents mograg DIRECT – Across the Universe –, a group exhibition showcasing artists from Japan’s mograg gallery. The exhibition opens on Saturday, May 16, 2026, with artwork available online beginning at 12:00pm PT. Reception 6-9pm
To mark the opening, a live Instagram tour will be hosted via Instagram on the @giantrobot account, offering an inside look at the exhibition and participating artists.
The exhibition features work by HAMADARAKA (Eru Arizono and Emu Arizono), Johnny Akihito Noda, Kouichi Matsuda, Masayoshi Hanawa, oki-chu, PICOPICO, and Sasaku Kusuriyubi.
mograg DIRECT – Across the Universe – highlights the vibrant and playful energy of contemporary Japanese illustration and painting, bringing together a diverse range of styles rooted in pop, surreal, and character driven work.
The exhibition will be on view from May 16 through June 2, 2026.
The event takes place at Giant Robot 2, located at 2062 Sawtelle Blvd in Los Angeles.
mograg gallery Profile
Founded in 2008 by Motoko Ota (Owner) and oki-chu. (Painter / Director), the gallery is currently based in Okachimachi, Tokyo. While primarily focusing on painting, it plans and operates exhibitions by artists who are not bound by categories or specific forms of expression, and also develops projects that translate these works into various products.
The gallery’s core concept is “Japanese Lowbrow Art.” Rather than what is considered mainstream “high art,” it embraces art that emerges from its periphery—art of the people. By doing so, the gallery aims to communicate the direct joy and excitement of “drawing” and “viewing” art, offering encounters with what can be described as art driven by personal taste and sensibility.
Instagram : @mograggallery
Participating Artists
HAMADARAKA (Eru Arizono / Emu Arizono)
@eruhamadaraka / @emuhamadaraka
Johnny Akihito Noda @wc_johnny
Kouichi Matsuda![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
@kouchi_matsuda_
Masayoshi Hanawa @masayoshihanawa
oki-chu. @oki.chu
PICOPICO @picopicoshimbun
Sasaku Kusuriyubi @kusuriyubi339
HAMADARAKA
(Eru Arizono / Emu Arizono)
The duo painter consisting of the twins, Eru Arizono and Emu Arizono. They use various tools to express their paintings based on the theme of "a paradise created by mixing impossible creatures and time" and "a world that exists between this world and utopia". In addition to solo exhibitions in Japan, they have participated in art projects in France, the Netherlands, New York, Beijing, Taipei, Germany, Belgium, and Brazil (National Museum of the Brazilian Republic). In 2018 they held their solo exhibition "EDENDORDORADO" at DIESEL ART GALLERY. They participated in the Residency Program at the Qingyun International Art Center in Beijing, and produced murals for "DoDo Café" in Rotterdam, "Café Pförtner" in Berlin, “Jidar - Rabat Street Art Festival” in Morocco. They have been actively exhibiting their works in Japan and abroad. They have done costume artwork for "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" John Cameron Mitchell's concerts in Japan, album artwork and apparel in Japan and abroad. The art book "YAUYAUPARAISO" was published by ERECT lab.
Instagram: @eruhamadaraka / @emuhamadaraka
Johnny Akihito Noda
Born near Nagoya, Japan in 1985. At 20, struck by a monster painting he saw in an LA gallery, he began painting experimentally. In 2011 he moved to America to directly immerse in lowbrow art. Following 5 years of artistic output in California, he now has Nagoya as home base for energetically putting on exhibitions both in Japan and abroad. He steadily produces a stream of freaky characters who are just too charming to dislike.
Instagram: @wc_johnny
Kouichi Matsuda
Manga artist
Born 24 December 1994
2020: Honourable Mention, 22nd AX Manga Newcomer Award
2024: Publication of the manga Destiny
An artist who carries on the legacy of Garo (a manga magazine considered the origin of Japan’s alternative comics scene) through his distinctive linework and colour palette.
Instagram: @KOUICHI_MATSUDA_
Masayoshi Hanawa
Born 1981 in Ibaraki, Japan. Self-taught in painting, he began showing his works on the streets of Tokyo around 2005. He has had solo exhibitions at LOOP HOLE, ZENSHI, mograg, Aquvii, Atsuko barouh, TACO ché, Trance pop Gallery, and others. He has participated in numerous exhibitions in Japan and abroad. In 2015, he was on the cover of "HEY!", the best lowbrow art book from Paris. In 2017, he exhibited at the Outsider Art Fair in Paris with Atsuko barouh booth. His work is in the collection of the Hermitage Museum Outsider Art Museum in Amsterdam. In 2018, the art book was published by Le Dernier Cri, a silkscreen graphic publishing arts collective in Marseille, France. In 2019, he was the only Japanese artist to participate in “HEY! #4" held at the Halle Saint Pierre Museum in Paris. In 2022, the art book "MONSTERS 2" was published by Le Dernier Cri, a silkscreen graphic publishing arts collective in Marseille, France. In 2025, the art book Monstroll was published by Kousakusha.
Instagram: @masayoshihanawa
oki-chu.
Born in 1979. Artist, acrylic painter. Works in an art style known as automatism, in which the subconscious guides the artist’s creative process. It begins with pencil, letting himself draw lines without thinking, and then finds forms and motifs in the work that he brings out in pen, and finally, connect on the colorful and humorous brain world. Also he runs mograg gallery with co-founder Motoko Ohta in Tokyo. Teaming up with interesting artists, they propose “Japanese lowbrow art” as an attitude to enjoy the very current art.
Instagram: @oki.chu
PICOPICO
Figure prototype modeler, monster artist. He has been creating works in various genres based on the theme of “Kaiju-monsters". His unique monsters with unparalleled originality are called "PICOPICO Kaiju" and have attracted the attention of the world. Published "PICOPICO Kaiju Encyclopedia” in 2021.
Instagram: @picopicoshimbun
Sasaku Kusuriyubi
Painter living in Wakayama, Japan. The motifs of her paintings are original landscapes and dear neighbors, and the main axis of her work is daily miscellaneous notes.
Instagram: @kusuriyubi339
mograg gallery
Founded in 2008 by Motoko Ota (Owner) and oki-chu. (Painter / Director), the gallery is currently based in Okachimachi, Tokyo. While primarily focusing on painting, it plans and operates exhibitions by artists who are not bound by categories or specific forms of expression, and also develops projects that translate these works into various products.
The gallery’s core concept is “Japanese Lowbrow Art.” Rather than what is considered mainstream “high art,” it embraces art that emerges from its periphery—art of the people. By doing so, the gallery aims to communicate the direct joy and excitement of “drawing” and “viewing” art, offering encounters with what can be described as art driven by personal taste and sensibility.
Instagram: @mograggallery