This past August, The Lux Humans Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles opened its doors to one of the most imaginative and culturally rich shows of the year: 妖怪 YOKAI & Japanese Folklore. The exhibition ran from August 30 – September 22, coinciding with Little Tokyo’s vibrant cultural season, and brought together an extraordinary lineup of artists, each reinterpreting the world of Yōkai through their own unique style and medium.
What Are Yōkai?
Yōkai (妖怪) are supernatural beings, spirits, and monsters deeply rooted in Japanese folklore. Sometimes mischievous, sometimes terrifying, and often mysterious, Yōkai embody the blurred line between the human and spirit worlds. From shape-shifting foxes to playful umbrella spirits, they’ve inspired countless works of art, literature, and film throughout Japanese history—and continue to capture the imagination of artists worldwide today.
This exhibition embraced that spirit of wonder, showcasing Yōkai not just as creatures of folklore, but as catalysts for fresh artistic storytelling in contemporary times.
Participating Artists
We were honored to feature an incredible roster of talent in this group show, including:
Amie Sanchez, Asher Borison, Bakeneko, Chi Ngo, B. Chewy, Chris Mitchell, Christian Yi, Claire Seckler, Clay Song, Dan Krall, David Perez, Eric Miller, Evon Freeman, Gabe Janisz, Grace Kum, Ian Abando, Ian Higginbotham, Jamil Qiu, James Lien, Robot Soda, Kat Hudson, Madoka Muramatsu, Megan Uchida, Miv Choi, Nicholas Ilic, Pakoto, Rita Chen, Ryoko Iwamoto, Rommi Huang, Samuel Youn, Sophia Du, Soyeon Yoo, Stephen DeStefano, Sumin Ha, Victoria Ying, Vince Aparo, Valerie Briat, Yuhki Demers, Yuki Mori, Yuriko Oto, Zach Bellisimo, Mr. Kone, Jing Qi Shi, Kevin Chan, and more.
Each artist brought their own interpretation of Yōkai—ranging from playful and colorful reimaginings to hauntingly beautiful works that evoke the eerie mystery of the supernatural. From original paintings and illustrations to sculpture, toys, and mixed media pieces, the diversity of the show reflected the boundless possibilities Yōkai inspire.
Still On View – Still Available
Although the official exhibition has ended, unsold works are still on display at The Lux Humans Gallery, and collectors can view and purchase pieces through:
– Qpop Webstore (https://www.qpopshop.com)
– The Lux Humans Gallery (https://www.theluxhumans.com)
Art collectors take note: this is a rare chance to own work that blends contemporary creativity with timeless folklore. From one-of-a-kind originals to limited edition prints, the Yokai Exhibition offers a spectrum of works that will add both beauty and storytelling power to any collection.
Qpop x The Lux Humans Partnership
As many of you know, Qpop owners are also proud partners of The Lux Humans Gallery. That’s why we’re thrilled to promote and support every event coming out of this exciting DTLA space. By bringing together Qpop’s playful, pop-inspired roots and Lux Humans’ contemporary fine-art direction, we’re able to celebrate both ends of the creative spectrum—while giving artists and collectors more opportunities to connect.
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✨ If you missed the show in person, now’s the perfect time to explore what’s left. Visit Qpop’s webstore (https://www.qpopshop.com) or The Lux Humans Gallery online (https://www.theluxhumans.com) to discover available works from the Yokai Exhibition. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your art journey, the world of Yōkai awaits you.