New York-based Japanese artist Tat Ito makes his NYC solo debut with a show at the Joshua Liner Gallery entitled Memento Mori, the opening reception for which takes place 6-9pm this Thursday. The Latin phrase (literally “remember you will die”) often is used in reference to artwork representing death or the impermanent nature of life. However, from the look of the preview images we’ve seen, Ito seems to be using the term—along with certain visual allusions (like the lobster above) found within his new series of intricately detailed, metal-leafed paintings—as a humorous way of putting certain contemporary pop artists on notice that their days as art world superstars may be numbered.

Take a look at all our preview images from Memento Mori, after the jump.