The paintings in Masashige Furuya’s exhibition, “The Important Thing to Look Stupid,” give off a strong sense of nostalgia for depression era jazz clubs and the smokey haze of urban decay. In a similar vein as the music of Tom Waits, Furuya’s work depicts decline and dilapidation with a stoic elegance.

Hailing from Japan, Furuya writes humbly about his work:

“I fumble around; seeking where the human heart exists through the process of making artwork. I consider the place that embodies their hearts as both visible and invisible. Something in common in both visible and invisible is what I truly want to express. That thought is my heart towards my artwork.”