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'''Laura Mas Hernandez''' is a Spanish [[contemporary artist]], known professionally as '''Okokume'''.<ref, name=":0">{{Citeis weba [[Spain|title=ABOUT|url=https://wwwSpanish]] contemporary artist.okokume.com/about|access-date=2022-02-03|website=okokume|language=es}}</ref> She is recognized for her character ''"Cosmic Girl''," which features in many of her works.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
== Life and career ==
=== Academic background and early career ===
Okokume was born in 1985 and raised in [[Mataró]], [[Barcelona]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ABOUT |url=https://www.okokume.com/about |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124200219/https://www.okokume.com/about |archive-date=2022-01-24 |access-date=2022-02-03 |website=okokume |language=es}}</ref> In 2010, she earned a degree in Advertising Graphic Design from [[Llotja School of Art and Design]], [[Barcelona|Barcelona.]]{{cn|date=August 2024}}
In her early works, Okokume approached her figurative paintings under the influence of [[Impressionism]]. She painted women dressed in [[Kimono|kimonos]] and other Japanese accessories such as [[oil-paper umbrellas]] (''Wasaga''). Her early portraits show her enigmatic style, most notably distorted women's faces with holes, some with pink hair, and turquoise faces with a darker apocalyptic undertone.
The artworks of this period were met with international success, exhibited in galleries such as Barcelona, [[Berlin]], and [[Los Angeles]] in group exhibitions.
=== Lowbrow and Cosmic Girl ===
Okokume gradually started to work in a [[Lowbrow (art movement)|Lowbrowlowbrow]] style coupled with contemporary street styles, reflecting her passion for [[Japanese manga]]. AfterIn theresponse internalto dialogue,various personal growth,struggles and frustrationconcerns withabout the planet'senvironment problemsOkokume faced, she needed to develop her support mechanism, creating a messenger character who would reach out to all audiences.created Cosmic Girl, a pink-haired, turquoise-skinned spirit, who conveys the importance of protecting the environment and brings attention to various social causes.
=== Cosmic Girl Café ===
In August 2019, Okokume opened Cosmic Girl Café, a collaborative project with artist Kasing Lung, in [[Harajuku]], [[Tokyo]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=KaSing Lung & Okokume |first1=Okokume |title=Labubu x Cosmic Girl |url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_labubu-cosmicgirl2019.htm |website=JPS Gallery |publisher=April 27, 2019 |access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref> The opening of the café was held concurrently with the two artists’ collaborative exhibition, The Monsters, and the Cosmic Stars, in JPS Gallery Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=KaSing Lung & Okokume |first1=Okokume |title=The Monsters And The Cosmic Stars |url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_okokume-kasing2019.htm |website=JPS Gallery |publisher=April 26, 2019 |access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref> ▼
=== Personal life ===
Okokume is an enthusiast of comics and Japanese popular culture and a follower of the [[Studio Ghibli|Ghibli]] universe. The artist cites influence from [[Katsuhiro Otomo|Katsuhiro Ōtomo's]] Akira, which she first saw at the age of eight. Since 2018, Okokume has been actively collaborating with the [[Make-A-Wish Foundation]]. She participated in numerous [[Charity (practice)|charity]] exhibitions and auctions, with profits donated to the foundation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=JPS Gallery |first1=Okokume |title=Make A Wish Charity Group Show |url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_makeawish2021.htm |website=jpsgallery |publisher=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
=== Collaborations ===
▲In August 2019, Okokume opened Cosmic Girl Café, a collaborative project with artist [http://en.gallery-kaikaikiki.com/2020/10/bio_kasing-lung/ Kasing Lung ], in [[Harajuku]], [[Tokyo]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=KaSing Lung & Okokume |first1=Okokume |title=Labubu x Cosmic Girl |url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_labubu-cosmicgirl2019.htm | website=JPS Gallery |publisheraccess-date=April 27, 2019 | access-datewebsite=JPS Gallery |publisher=April 27, 2019}}</ref> The opening of the café was held concurrently with the two artists’ collaborative exhibition, The Monsters, and the Cosmic Stars, in JPS Gallery [[Tokyo ]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=KaSing Lung & Okokume |first1=Okokume |title=The Monsters And The Cosmic Stars |url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_okokume-kasing2019.htm | website=JPS Gallery |publisheraccess-date=April 26, 2019 | access-datewebsite=JPS Gallery |publisher=April 26, 2019}}</ref>
In 2022, Okokume collaborated with [https://hypebeans.com/ Hypebeans], the prestigious coffee shop with outlets in New York, Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong. The vibrant colors of Cosmic Girl's soul, the artist's most popular character, spread throughout the establishment through painting on tables and walls. She also presented graphic material that was used for the design of glasses, walls and T-shirts. An original painting, painted exclusively for this collaboration, was on view in the store.
In January 2023, the [[artist ]] launched two successful collaborations. The first one was with the world-renowned mobile case and accessory brand [[Casetify]]. Under the name "Our feelingsFeelings".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-11 |title="Our Feelings" OKOKUME x CASETiFY |url=https://streetartnews.net/2023/01/our-feelings-okokume-x-casetify.html |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=StreetArtNews |language=en-US}}</ref> " Okokume presented a capsule collection featuring cell phone cases, airpod cases, chargers, ipad cases and airtags with various designs of the artist's paintings. It is also possible to buy an exquisite Premium box, with 5 cell phone cases that together make up a symbolic painting. ▼Due to this great success, Hypebeans decided to take Cosmic Girl to the streets of Hong Kong with its Food Truck company.
▲In January 2023, the artist launched two successful collaborations. The first one was with the world-renowned mobile case and accessory brand [[Casetify]]. Under the name "Our feelings<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-11 |title="Our Feelings" OKOKUME x CASETiFY |url=https://streetartnews.net/2023/01/our-feelings-okokume-x-casetify.html |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=StreetArtNews |language=en-US}}</ref>" Okokume presented a capsule collection featuring cell phone cases, airpod cases, chargers, ipad cases and airtags with various designs of the artist's paintings. It is also possible to buy an exquisite Premium box, with 5 cell phone cases that together make up a symbolic painting.
In addition, on January 24th [https://avantarte.com/ Avant Arte] (a popular community of artists who support the new generation of artists), launched a limited edition piece of 50 units, "Sumergidos".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Okokume - Collaborations with Avant Arte |url=https://avantarte.com/artists/okokume |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=avantarte.com |language=en}}</ref> This is a silkscreen of 12 color screens, hand finished by the artist with acrylic paint and diamond dust, which was sold out in less than two hours.
== Books ==
* "The arrivalArrival of Cosmic Girl" (La llegada de Cosmic Girl), 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=JPS |first1=Okokume |title=The Arrival of Cosmic Girl |url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_okokume2018.htm |website=jpsgallery |publisher=June 8, 2018 |access-date=June 8, 2018}}</ref>
== Selected exhibitions ==
*'''2023'''
** Art Central, Hong Kong. (Fair)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Art Central 2023 - JPS Gallery |url=https://jpsgallery.com/exhibition/art-central-2023/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
** Origen, JPS Gallery Paris.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Origen - JPS Gallery |url=https://jpsgallery.com/exhibition/origen/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
** UVNT Art Fair, Madrid. (Fair)<ref>{{Cite web |title=UVNT Art Fair 2023 - JPS Gallery |url=https://jpsgallery.com/exhibition/uvnt-art-fair-2023/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
** Fronteras, L21 Gallery, Barcelona.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fronteras x L21 Gallery - JPS Gallery |url=https://jpsgallery.com/exhibition/fronteras-x-l21-gallery/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
** Art021, Shanghai. (Fair)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Art021 - JPS Gallery |url=https://jpsgallery.com/exhibition/art021/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
*'''2022'''
**Art Central, Hong Kong. (Fair) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Art Central 2022 - JPS Gallery |url=https://jpsgallery.com/exhibition/art-central-2022/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
**Bon Jour Paris, Paris, France. (Group Exhibition) <ref>{{Cite web |title=JPS {{!}} Exhibition |url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_bonjourparis2022.htm |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=www.jpsgallery.com}}</ref>
**Utopia, JPS Art Gallery, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JPS {{!}} Exhibition |url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_okokume2022-ginza6.htm |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=www.jpsgallery.com}}</ref>
**Bespoke x Okokume, Landmark Atrium, Hong Kong <ref>{{Cite web |title=JPS {{!}} Exhibition |url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_okokume2022-bespoke.htm |access-date=2022-01-26 |website=www.jpsgallery.com}}</ref>
* '''2021'''
** Reality, JPS Area 36, Tokyo, Japan<ref>{{cite web|last=JPS|first1=Okokume|date=May 1, 2021|title=Reality|url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_okokume2021-reality.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=http://www.jpsgallery.com|archive-date=May 1, 2021|access-date=May 1, 2021|website=jpsgallery|publisher=May 1, 2021}}</ref>
** Inside, JPS Gallery, Hong Kong<ref>{{cite web|last=JPS|first1=Okokume|date=January 18, 2021|title=Inside|url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_okokume2021.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=http://www.jpsgallery.com|archive-date=January 18, 2021|access-date=January 18, 2021|website=jpsgallery|publisher=January 18, 2021}}</ref>
* '''2018'''
** The Arrival of Cosmic Girl, JPS Gallery, K11 Art Space, Hong Kong<ref>{{cite web|last=JPS|first1=Okokume|date=June 8, 2018|title=The Arrival of Cosmic Girl|url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_okokume2018.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=http://www.jpsgallery.com|archive-date=June 8, 2018|access-date=June 8, 2018|website=Jpsgallery|publisher=June 8, 2018}}</ref>
* '''2017'''
** Cosmic World, JPS Gallery, Hong Kong<ref>{{cite web|last1=JPS ART|first1=Okokume|date=June 30, 2017|title=The art of Lau Mas|url=http://www.jpsgallery.com/exhibition_okokume2017.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=http://www.jpsgallery.com|archive-date=June 30, 2017|access-date=June 30, 2017|website=jpsgallery|publisher=JUNE 30, 2017}}</ref>
* '''2015'''
** Ikimono, Open Walls Gallery, Berlin, [[Germany]]
* '''2013'''
** Okokume, Mar de Cava Gallery, Barcelona, Spain
== Selected articles ==
* ''[[Harper's BazarBazaar|Harper's Bazzar]] Hong Kong'', 2018<ref>{{cite web|last=Okokume|first1=Okokume|date=June 8, 2018|title=The Arrival of Cosmic Girl|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com.hk/art-and-design/k11-wonder-pop|url-status=live|archive-url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com|archive-date=June 8, 2018|access-date=June 8, 2018|website=harpersbazaar}}</ref>
* ''[[Hypebeast (company)|Hypebeast]]'', 2018<ref>{{cite web|last=Hypebeast|first1=Okokume|date=June 11, 2018|title=Arrival of Cosmic Girl|url=https://hypebeast.com/zh/2018/6/okokume-the-arrival-of-cosmic-girl-exhibition|url-status=live|archive-url=https://hypebeast.com|archive-date=June 11, 2018|access-date=June 11, 2018|website=hypebeast|publisher=June 11, 2018}}</ref>
* [[MilK Magazine (France)|Milk''MilK Magazine'']], 2018
* ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' Hong Kong, 2020
* [[Diari Ara|''Diari Ara'']], 2021<ref>{{cite web|last=Diari Ara|first1=Okokume|date=May 8, 2021|title=Pintora anònima a Catalunya artista rècord al Japó|url=https://www.ara.cat|url-status=live|archive-url=https://www.ara.cat/cultura/okokume-pintora-anonima-catalunya-artista-record-japo_1_3963525.html|archive-date=May 8, 2021|access-date=May 8, 2021|website=Ara}}</ref>
* ''Ecos de Asia'', 2021<ref>{{cite web|last=Origen y evolución|first1=Okokume|date=August 5, 2021|title=Okokume y Cosmic Girl|url=http://revistacultural.ecosdeasia.com/okokume-y-cosmic-girl/|url-status=live|archive-url=http://revistacultural.ecosdeasia.com|archive-date=August 5, 2021|access-date=August 5, 2021|website=Ecosdeasia}}</ref>
* ''Art and Piece'', 2021
* ''Yorokobu'', 2022<ref>{{cite web|last=Yorokobu|first1=Okokume|date=January 25, 2022|title=Okokume, la pintora catalana desconocida en España y que arrasa en Japón|url=https://www.yorokobu.es/okokume-la-pintora-catalana-desconocida-en-espana-y-que-arrasa-en-japon/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://www.yorokobu.es|archive-date=January 25, 2022|access-date=January 25, 2022|website=Yorokobu}}</ref>
* ''Trendy Style'', 2022 <ref>{{Cite web|last=Kong|first=Trendystyle Hong|date=2022-01-16|title=BESPOKE x OKOKUME|url=https://www.trendystyle.com.hk/lifestyle/art-in-hong-kong/bespoke-x-okokume.html|access-date=2022-02-08|website=TRENDYSTYLE HONG KONG|language=en-US}}</ref>
* ''[[El Periódico de Aragón|El Periódico de Aragon]]'', 2022 <ref>{{Cite web |last=Corral |first=Pedro del |date=2022-04-15 |title=Desconocida en España, ídolo de masas en Japón: Laura Mas arrasa con su 'mesías' rosa y turquesa |url=https://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/cultura/2022/04/15/desconocida-espana-idolo-masas-japon-65041327.html |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=El Periódico de Aragón |language=es}}</ref>
== References ==
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Spanish painters]]
[[Category:21st-century Spanish women artists]]
[[Category:People from Mataró]]
[[Category:Pseudonymous artists]]
[[Category:Spanish contemporary artists]]
[[Category:21st-century Spanish women painters]]
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