"NICE TO MATE YOU," a two-person exhibition by illustrator Tomomi Ushio, who creates artwork and flyers for musicians, and Megumi Nagazoe, who specializes in embroidery and collages, is being held until March 4th in Chika No Akichi, the basement space of select shop NEW PURE + in Kitahama, Osaka.



Tomomi Ushio primarily creates flyers for music events. She has previously worked on the artwork and merchandise for the band Hi,how are you?, as well as the covers for Lonely's "YAMIYO," neco Nemuru's "Typical," and aaps' "Chilly Morning." This exhibition features new drawings and paintings, skateboard tape, and a work based on a scene from the music video for American hip-hop artist Biz Markie's "Just A Friend," her first attempt at large-scale canvas painting. Meanwhile, Megumi Nagasoe worked as a designer at an apparel manufacturer before studying at Skals Design School in Denmark in 2017. She studied handicrafts such as embroidery, knitting, and weaving, and after returning to Japan, she now creates not only clothing but also works using a variety of techniques, including embroidery and collage. This exhibition showcases her portfolio from her time in Denmark, photographs taken during her travels in Europe, and memorized works such as a dress she embroidered during a bored bus trip. She also showcases many new works created specifically for this exhibition, including a tapestry of beaded embroidery and gloves, and a lingerie mobile.

Other collaboration items on sale include T-shirts featuring Ushio Tomomi's graphic logo embroidered by Nagazoe Megumi, hoodies embroidered with Ushio's "MATE," and mini bags with Nagazoe's original "NICE TO MATE YOU" tag (exhibited works can also be purchased).

The two have actually been best friends for 11 years. At this exhibition, you can experience the unique worldview that these two have created together as artists for the first time, each using their own unique methods of expression. -- "Nice to meet you, my mate!"


"NEW PURE +," which opened in Kitahama on February 14, 2015, was originally the shop "PURE +" run by owner Oi Hideto, which opened in Minamisenba in January 1995. Six years after its much-loved closure, Oi has reopened NEW PURE + under a new name, with a permanent shop on the first floor stocking brands such as POTTO, keisuke kanda, FUTATSUKUKURI, and magma. Chika No Akichi, a free space in the basement that functions as a gallery and exhibition shop, has previously held exhibitions by Kataoka Meriyasu, Taniguchi Shozo, and DAISAK. The next event, running from March 10th to 25th, will be "in the yard," an exhibition shop for Omeal the Kinchaku, a handmade drawstring bag brand affectionately known as "Omikin." Based on the concept of "This drawstring bag was born out of sheer dedication, and it continues to be with you, wherever you go," this event will feature a selection of one-of-a-kind drawstring bags, each made by combining fabrics that the artist is passionate about, with strings, fringes, decorations, sizes, shapes, and color combinations. This is your chance to discover drawstring bags with a unique worldview that can be used in a wide range of situations, from everyday life to parties.