



Shinji Nagabe Brazil, b. 1975
78 3/4 x 112 1/4 x 6 3/4 in
Further images
L'Exotique by Shinji Nagabe challenges the fetishization of bodies and explores the exoticism and objectification of Asian and Latino bodies. The artist, rooted in both cultures, combines sensuality with social critique. The piece is a three-layer diorama where organic elements like flowers, mushrooms, and fruits are arranged. These forms, often sensual, resemble male and female sexual organs, reinforcing the theme of erotic fetishization. At the center, a red circle evokes the sun from the Japanese flag, symbolizing a core around which the elements are organized. The work invites interaction: by lifting a symbolic veil, viewers are encouraged to "unveil" what’s hidden behind the exoticism, revealing the complexity and ambiguity beneath. This act becomes a metaphor for confronting stereotyped bodies, shifting from mere observation to action, and from illusion to truth.