Presented by Ikkan Art Gallery & Clear Edition & Gallery Japan, TOKYO STREET exhibition presents new urban street artworks in painting, sculpture, paper cutout, drawing and installation by 9 Japanese artists.
It is a whole new experience of traditional meets the new culture and how intelligently the Japanese has appropriate the foreign culture and blend it together with the traditional craft of Japanese art.
In a country where the western status quo does not rule (or is unable to because of the language barrier), exposure to various counter cultures in Japan results in culture shock. What follows is the spirit and attitude of these subcultures, which is then, in its own unique way, appropriated to suit the Japanese way of life. This exhibition explores the distinct expressions of Japanese artists who grew up on a skateboard, watching MTV, on a diet of music: from punk to hip hop to techno. New combinations were formed, new collaborations occurred, elements blended; with an open mind, free from the ‘western conventions’ of urban culture.
Mikito Ozeki’s laboriously detailed paper cuts echoes centuries-old Japanese paper-cut art, kiri-e, while Taku Obata’s sculptures immortalize the ultimate ‘freeze’ stance, evidence of Obata’s b-boy origins. Painter and sculptor Ryuichi Ogino’s work is informed by both American and Japanese culture, a juxtaposition of styles and media, exploring themes influenced by birth and origin.
Mikito Ozeki's Hands 1, 2, 3
Taku Obata's Takuspe B-Girl Runner
Taku Obata's Takuspe (Blue)
Ryuichi Ogino's Out of The Contact Mash up IV
Investigations on memory and excavation are the basis of Hiraku Suzuki’s artistic practice. His works on paper, installations, and murals are an account of forms and rhythms existing in his environment, interpreting the ever-changing hidden language of a city. A young artist with an impressive list of exhibitions, Suzuki’s work has also led to commissions from Agnés B and Comme des Garçons.
Hiraku Suzuki – One of the works from the series of Deciphering the Light
The evolution of Japan results in new modes of expression: Japanese culture is now also represented by street culture or graffiti, evident in the large scale, bold paintings of Oyama Enrico Isamu Letter, showcased on public walls, galleries, as well as on clothes for the Comme des Garçons label. Koichiro Takagi’s beautifully ambiguous depictions of animals, myths and legends raise questions about Japanese identity itself, and Tokyo as a place of global influence and coexisting contradictions.
Oyamu Enrico Isamu Letter's FFIGURATI Drawing
Koichiro Takagi
Celebrated art duo Hitotzuki create vibrant Zen pop murals that have graced walls the world over. They are Kami and Sasu, who have been an inspiration to a generation of Japanese underground artists. Hitotzuki are a part of the influential art collective Barnstormers. Also part of this collective is one of the most important street culture figures in Tokyo, artist and designer Madsaki. His tongue in cheek style has seen him collaborate with the likes of Disney, Adidas Originals, and the influential fashion designer of Undercover, Jun Takahashi.
Hitotzuki (Kami / Sasu) 's Untitled
Madsaki's In-Between
This group of artists speaks various dialects of the same language: one that interprets the origins of street culture, as it exists in Japan.
Mr Ikkan of Ikkan Gallery, on the Opening Night of Tokyo Street
Participating Artists
Hiraku Suzuki
Hitotzuki
Koichiro Takagi
Madsaki
Mikito Ozeki
Oyamu Enrico Isamu Letter
Ryuichi Ogino
Taku Obata
Youta Matsuoka
22 January – 23 February 2013
Gallery 8 at Artspace@Helutrans (ground floor)
39 Keppel Road, #01-05 Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore 089065
Tues – Sat, 12pm till 7 pm, Closed: Sun, Mon & Public Holiday
+65 9088 7056
[email protected]
www.ikkan-art.com
