Shintaro Kago pushes manga (and illustration in general) into nightmarish new ground in his formally innovative and striking work. Exploring similar themes to Murakami and his Superflat artists, Shintaro unapologetically stretches the limits of aesthetic, as well as moral, sensibilities in his efforts to represent contemporary Japanese culture. Unique works are available at his website for a great price–get in before he gets big.

http://www1.odn.ne.jp/~adc52520/

Nelson-based Cachemaille’s recent works juxtapose wild animals with cliche romantic settings to make some interesting statements about sexuality and human behaviour. Monochromatic and moody, what could easily have been a banal subject takes on a surprising vitality thanks to the tension and anxiety that fills the works. Look out for her next show in June.

http://www.sanderson.co.nz/Artist/135/Josephine-Cachemaille.aspx

Unger’s photography strives to find beauty in the aggression and absurdity of youth culture. The result is sometimes shocking, often surprising but always compelling.

http://frankaunger.blogspot.com/

‘Chair B’, Grcic’s follow-up to his 2009 Table_B features a flip-up seat with an underside coated in Abet laminate in a range of colours, adding a decorative touch to the chairs when horizontally stacked.

http://www.konstantin-grcic.com/

Julie Blackmon’s photographs draw on the tradition of the “Jan Steen Household” - a home in disarray, full of rowdy children and boisterous family gatherings. The careful counterpoint of chaos and symmetry perfectly captures the tension between the reality of the domestic situation and the desire to escape it. This fusion of fantasy and reality makes visual the sense of what it is to be a child.

http://www.julieblackmon.com/

Ukranian-based illustrator Daria Hlazatova deftly blends a skewed, surreal perspective with faithful and imaginative interpretations of familiar fairy tales and literary figures. By turns playful, menacing and meditative, both her illustrations and collage works deserve serious attention.

http://dariasgallery.blogspot.com/