ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Nikki Maloof's Tokyo Debut Explores Domesticity at Perrotin

exhibition · 2026-04-24

Artist Nikki Maloof recently sat down with ArtReview editor-in-chief Mark Rappolt to discuss her first exhibition at Perrotin Tokyo, 'Aspects of Daily Life', on view until October 25. The Illinois-born painter's oil works employ a saturated palette and contrasting textures to depict domestic scenes, addressing loneliness, melancholy, and the familiar versus the strange. Her latest paintings feature dinner tables and leftover plates, with fish and crustaceans recurring as nods to Japan. Maloof cited inspirations including Japanese prints, Lucian Freud, Domenico Gnoli, and Renaissance artists, and described her bright colors as a metaphor for navigating life's heavier aspects.

Key facts

  • Exhibition titled 'Aspects of Daily Life' at Perrotin Tokyo
  • On view until October 25
  • Artist Nikki Maloof is Illinois-born
  • Works are oil paintings with saturated palette and contrasting textures
  • Themes include loneliness, melancholy, familiar and strange
  • Recurrent motifs: fish and crustaceans as nod to Japan
  • Influences: Japanese prints, Lucian Freud, Domenico Gnoli, Renaissance artists
  • Bright colors used as metaphor for navigating heavier parts of life

Entities

Artists

  • Nikki Maloof
  • Lucian Freud
  • Domenico Gnoli

Institutions

  • Perrotin Tokyo
  • ArtReview

Locations

  • Tokyo
  • Japan
  • Illinois

Sources