Introducing 6 restoration works including "Self-portrait" by painter Rika Hasegawa along with the process!

Did you know that there was a pair of large mosaic murals “Victory” (statue of Nomi no Sukune) and “Glory” (statue of a Greek goddess) above the main stand of the former National Stadium? This was created in 1964 by painter Hasegawa Rika (1897-1967) with his students for the main venue of the Tokyo Olympics. They represent the god of sumo and the goddess of Greece, respectively. This work was preserved when the old National Stadium was demolished, and is currently being moved to the new National Stadium.

During his lifetime, Roka created works in a wide variety of genres. In 1921 (Taisho 10), he graduated from the Japanese painting department of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (currently Tokyo University of the Arts) and immediately went to France. While exhibiting his oil paintings at the Salon, he also copied old Buddhist murals excavated in the western region that were kept in museums in Europe. From that experience, he deepened his interest in mural paintings and learned the technique of fresco painting before returning to Japan in 1927. For the next 10 years, he set up an atelier in Kugenuma, Fujisawa City, where he pursued Japanese paintings and created murals for churches and theaters. He is recognized as a pioneer who introduced frescoes and mosaics to Japan in earnest.

In his youth, he was exposed to Japanese paintings, western wall paintings, oil paintings, and frescoes, and honed his skills from ancient times to the present day across the East and West. Therefore, this exhibition will focus on Roka's stay in Europe (1921-27) among his diverse creative activities, and trace his footsteps centering on the works owned by the city.

Now, almost 100 years have passed since Roka's work was produced, and the screen was damaged. Therefore, this time, the city will restore six works, including "Self-portrait", and unveil them along with the process. In terms of preserving works and passing them on to future generations, the relocation of the mosaic murals of the former National Stadium, which I mentioned at the beginning, is the same. We would appreciate it if you could know that there are many hands behind the preservation and inheritance of works of art.

HASEGAWA LOKA: Restored artworks from his youth
[Date and time] July 11 (Sat) - September 27 (Sun) 10:00-19:00 (admission until 18:30)
[Venue] Fujisawa City Art Space
[Closed] Mondays (but open on 8/10 and 9/21), 8/11 (Tue)
[Exhibiting artist] Roka Hasegawa
[Fee] Free
[Organizer] Fujisawa City, Fujisawa City Board of Education
[Inquiries] 0466-30-1816 (Fujisawa City Art Space)