Tamamura Hokuto: Revolutionary of the Japanese-Style Painting

Jan 8-Feb 17

The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

Avant-garde Japanese painter of the Taisho and Showa epoch, Tamamura Hokuto (Zennosuke) (1893-1951) first came to notice when he submitted his work for the Nihon Bijitsuin (The Japan Art Institute). In order to pursue fresher expression in his Japanese style painting, he withdrew from the Nihon Bijutsuin and associated himself with avant-garde movements such as DSD, Association of Sanka-Zokei Artists and Tani Sanka (Exhibition of Unit Sanka). At the time, most of the avant-garde movements were led by artists who painted in a Western style and Tamamura Hokuto was one of the only artists to develop an avantgarde world of a Japanese style. He developed a brand new style of painting which was original, grotesque and humorous. In order to advocate a new style in Japanese painting, he created the Hokuto Society with his comrades to create a place of expression. On the other hand, he also painted scenes from everyday life such as Holiday (1931) where he portrays parent and child playing baseball. Through approximately 110 works, the entire scope of this original and individual painter will be introduced.

Getting there: JR/Kintetsu Kyoto stn, take Kyoto City bus 5 or 57. Get off at Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae.
Open: 9:30am–5pm. Closed Mon
Admission: ¥830/¥450/¥250
075-761-4111

Atelier Incurve Exhibition

Feb 3

Suntory Museum,Osaka

Atelier Incurve was established in Osaka in 2002. It is the first welfare facility in Japan that supports talented artists who are developmentally and mentally challenged. These artists, who have had no academic education or experience in art, are now internationally acclaimed by world famous artists and collectors since their debut in one of the best Outsider Art galleries in New York. This exhibition will feature approximately 50 works from five artists who received acclaim and recognition in New York.

Getting there: Subway Chuo line, Osaka-ko stn
Open: 10:30am–7:30pm. Closed Mon
Admission: ¥500/¥300/free for HS students and under
06-6577-0001

The 30th Anniversary: Collection of the National Museum of Art, Osaka

Thru Feb 11

The National Museum of Art, Osaka

The National Museum of Art, Osaka opened its doors in 1977 as a national museum specializing in contemporary art after inheriting the Expo Museum of Fine Arts facility, which had been built for Expo 70 in Osaka.

Twenty-seven years later, due in part to the aging of the building and in an effort to provide a better environment for the appreciation of art, the museum relocated to a new site in Nakanoshima, in the heart of Osaka in November of 2004.

The Museum has presented a wide variety of special exhibitions, but more than anything else, a full collection has been built up. The museum now proudly owns approximately 5,700 paintings, prints, sculptures, and photographs. This exhibition will feature some 400 works chosen from the museum's collection, including both noted 20th century foreign artists such as Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Lucio Fontana, Andy Warhol, Sigmar Polke, Tony Cragg, and Kiki Smith, and artists who represent the trends and breadth of Japanese contemporary art, including Tsuguharu Fujita, Yozo Hamaguchi, Yayoi Kusama, Jiro Takamatsu, Tadanori Yokoo, Yasumasa Morimura, Takanobu Kobayashi, and Yoshihiro Suda. This is the first time since the museum's opening that the entire facility will be used to present a collection.

Getting there: Subway Yotsubashi line, Higobashi stn, exit 2
Open: 10am–5pm, Fridays 10am–7pm. Closed Mon and national holidays
Admission: ¥1,000/¥500/free for HS students and younger
06-6447-4680

European Porcelain Exhibition

Thru Mar 9

Kyoto National Museum

The history of European porcelain in Japan dates back as early as before the Edo Period and has a history of over four hundred years. Back then, British designer Christopher Dresser who was popular during Queen Victoria's reign, chose which European porcelain would be sent to Japan. Soon after, German porcelain such as Meissen and other European designs streamed into this country. Over 170 pieces will be displayed in this exhibition and it will be interesting to see that some of these early European styles of porcelain were inspired by Asian forms.

Getting there: JR/Kintetsu Kyoto stn, take 206 or 208 bus, get off at Hakubutsukan, Sanjyu-san kando mae
Open: 9:30am–6pm. Closed Mon
Admission: ¥1,000/¥900/¥800
075-525-2473

Kansai Art Listings January

ART section compiled by Maki Nibayashi