Shinichi Wakasa Solo Exhibition [Tokyo]

2024.11.29(Fri) – 2024.12.16(Mon)

YUGEN Gallery will be holding a solo exhibition of Shinichi Wakasa from Friday, November 29th to Monday, December 16th, 2024.

Exhibition Information

venue

YUGEN Gallery
KD Minamiaoyama Building 4F, 3-1-31 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Dates

Friday, November 29, 2024 – Monday, December 16, 2024

Opening hours

Weekdays: 13:00-19:00
First day, weekends and holidays: 13:00-20:00
*Ends at 17:00 on the final day only
*Closed days: None

Date of presence

to be decided

Admission fee

free

Notes

*Please note that the dates and opening hours may change without notice depending on the situation.

Exhibited works images

*This is a past work and is different from the works exhibited at this solo exhibition. Details of the works exhibited at the solo exhibition will be updated at a later date.

Statement

Maneki-neko (beckoning cats) wrapped in a glittering light like illumination, komainu (guardian lions) and lions with expressions reminiscent of nonsense comedy manga. Shinichi Wakasa is a contemporary artist who re-examines the value of Japanese painting by incorporating the expressions of manga, games and anime into the Japanese painting styles that existed before the Edo period.

Combining traditional Japanese painting materials such as mineral pigments and gold leaf with modern techniques, he expresses a sense of awe towards the invisible in motifs that have been used in Japan since ancient times.

Shinichi Wakasa is from Hiroshima Prefecture. He majored in Japanese painting at the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Arts, Hiroshima City University, and began working as an artist in earnest in 2013. His works are collected by the Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Art and the Hiroshima City University Art Museum, and he has also participated in art fairs overseas. He has established a solid reputation as an artist both at home and abroad.

In addition to exhibiting his works, he has been involved in a wide range of activities, including launching the fashion brand Sugoi Wakasai with media artist Ochiai Yoichi and designer Kushino Shinya, and hosting a monthly talk event called "MONTHLY WAKASA" inviting a variety of guests to his studio.

"Since the internet revolution of the 1990s, the way people exist has expanded, and with the recent rise of AI, how do people live and for what purpose? I believe we are living in an age where value is placed on making emotional and desire-driven choices. In this world that is constantly changing, yet still connected, I hope that my work will encourage people to face the question: Who is Japan today, and even who are they themselves?"

Shinichi Wakasa is exploring the future of Japanese identity and artistic expression. In an age of uncertainty and crisis, he believes that the values nurtured in the Japanese culture hold clues for the future, and is enthusiastic about creating works that "quote chaotic phenomena such as the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons." Please look forward to Shinichi Wakasa's energetic worldview that draws in the demons and monsters that roam the world.

About sales of artworks

At the same time as the exhibition, the works will be available to view and purchase on the YUGEN Gallery official online store.

Shinichi Wakasa
Shinichi Wakasa
Shinichi Wakasa
Born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1982. Graduated from Hiroshima City University, Faculty of Arts, Department of Fine Arts, majoring in Japanese painting, in 2008. Completed the master's course at the same university's graduate school in 2010, and completed the doctoral course in 2013. His graduation project was purchased by the university as the top student. In the same year, he won the runner-up prize in the Monthly Art Newcomer Award "Debut". Since then, while exhibiting his works both in Japan and overseas, he has also collaborated with many companies, including traditional craftsmanship "Chososho", New York fashion brand "sawa takai", and "MEMUSE" by Risa Aizawa of Dempagumi.inc.
To the artist page