The 56th Kanagawa Prefecture Art Exhibition presented by Kanagawa Prefecture, a land of culture and art
The Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition, which started in 1965 and is now in its 56th year, is one of the largest public exhibitions in Japan.
Last year's event was unfortunately canceled due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, but this year's event was held after taking all possible precautions.
This art exhibition, which has a long history and track record, attracted many wonderful works from all over the country this year.
This art exhibition is highly acclaimed as a gateway to success for young artists, as many applicants have so far gone on to achieve brilliant success by winning prizes. The competition is open to the public in four categories: 2D, 3D, crafts, calligraphy, and photography. This time, we interviewed four people who won grand prizes in each category.
We hope to be able to convey the passion for art and the feelings toward the works that all the award winners passionately spoke about.
≪Plane and 3D Department≫ Asako Ishizaki
Grand prize winning work
Title: "Landscape from the side"
Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell me honestly how you feel now.
I was quite surprised. I was very happy and it gave me confidence in my own work.
Please tell us why you chose to become an artist.
I like working with my hands. I feel a sense of fulfillment in the time it takes to give form to my ideas.
What made you decide to apply this time?
The work consists of simple modeling elements that are difficult to convey in photos, such as the surface treatment and placement balance, but I thought it would be easier to convey my work because the judges would be able to see the actual work.
Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it during production.
As the title ``Landscape from the Side'' suggests, I am conscious of the differences in how each surface looks when viewed from all angles. The images of ridge lines and overlapping that I feel when I look at landscapes are connected to my work.
Please tell us what you were most particular about and what you found difficult.
We paid special attention to the casters attached to the pedestal for mobility, and to the bending of the aluminum plate so that its appearance changes depending on the angle.
The difficult part was the L-shaped pedestal. In order to express the concept simply, it took a considerable amount of time to give the wood a smooth surface treatment.
What kind of activities would you like to do in the future based on this award? Please tell us about your outlook and future goals.
I would like to exhibit my works in various places!
First of all, we will work on creating an environment for continued production activities.
Please give a message to everyone who is aiming to apply next year!
Please cherish what you consider to be good.
I'm looking forward to seeing your interesting works.
≪Profile≫
Asako Ishizaki
□Biography
Born in Tochigi Prefecture in 1996
2021 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Faculty of Art and Design, Department of Sculpture
Musashino Art University, Graduate School of Art and Design, Master's Course, Sculpture Course, 1 year enrollment
□Exhibition
2017 Group exhibition “Musabi Art Site” (Metropolitan Musashi Kokubunji Park/Tokyo)
2019 Group Exhibition “Kodaira Art Site Yorimichi Art 2019” (Kodaira City Central Park/Tokyo)
2020 Group Exhibition “Uwagoto” (KOGANE ART SPOT Chateau 2F/Tokyo)
2021 “Musashino Art University Graduation/Completion Works Exhibition” (Musashino Art University Takanodai Campus/Tokyo)
2021 Two-person exhibition “Strap Hall” (Musashino Art University Takanodai Campus/Tokyo)
2021 “Musashino Art University Excellent Works Exhibition” (Musashino Art University Museum of Art/Tokyo)
□Planning/Activities
2019 Planning and Executive Committee Chair “Kodaira Art Site Yorimichi Art 2019” (Kodaira City Central Park/Tokyo)
2019 Planning/Moderator: “Masao Shirakawa Talk Event <Art and Publicity/Possibilities of Regional Art>” (Kodaira City Central Park/Tokyo)
2020 Project “Uwagoto” (KOGANE ART SPOT Chateau 2F/Tokyo)
2020 Project “Installation/Packaging Lecture” (Musashino Art University FAL/Tokyo)
2021 Talk event and presentation “Polyphonic Tabe” (Musashino Art University Museum of Art/Tokyo)
□Award history
2021 “Reiwa 2 Musashino Art University Graduation/Complete Works Exhibition” Excellent Work Award Winner
≪Crafts Department≫ Ken Yanishiki
Grand prize winning work
Title: “OLLIE IN” (Kimekomi, special printing)
Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell me honestly how you feel now.
I was very grateful and happy. It was a new way for me to express myself, and it gave me encouragement for future productions.
Please tell us why you chose to become an artist.
There are multiple reasons for this, but I think it was because I wanted to convey the emotion and imagination I felt to others.
What made you decide to apply this time?
Last time I applied, I received feedback from many people, so
I applied again this year. Unusually for an art exhibition, the restrictions on the size of the works were very large, giving a high degree of freedom, which is why I strongly sympathized with their attitude of acceptance.
Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it during production.
In the unprecedented situation of the corona vortex, I wanted to turn this situation and experience into a positive one, so I chose the motif of skateboarding, which has a perspective on overcoming obstacles and what to do with them.
I feel that used clothing is a material that has spiritual elements such as memories and memories, and I asked my acquaintances to give me used clothing that they can no longer wear from people who actually skate. I created this work thinking that I would be happy if people could feel the momentum, courage, and sense of freedom that comes from dealing with disabilities through sexuality and physicality.
Please tell us what you were most particular about and what you found difficult.
As with all of my works, I am always particular about carefully incorporating used clothing that I receive into my works. The difficult part was collecting socks (lol)
Socks are considered a consumable item, and if they are in poor condition, they will be thrown away immediately.
What kind of activities would you like to do in the future based on this award? Please tell us about your outlook and future goals.
My works have living subjects, so I cannot complete them on my own, and the composition of the work changes greatly depending on the time axis and relationships. Rather than making it alone, I am able to complete it only with the help of real collaborators.
My motivation and theme for my work is proof of existence, so by receiving this award I will be able to increase my connections with others, and I would be extremely happy if I could receive the cooperation of many people!
My goal is to create works that are extremely durable and strong, with the fantasy that future generations will be able to feel that these kinds of people existed hundreds of years from now.
Please give a message to everyone who is aiming to apply next year!
The Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition has large size regulations, and they are open to what you want to express, such as providing friendly consultation during the exhibition, so I hope you will take on the challenge with all your might.
≪Profile≫
Ken Yashiki
Born in Tokyo in 1983
□Main awards
December 2007 JFW JAPAN CREATION TEXTILE CONTEST 2008 Newcomer Award
September 2018 25th Yuzawaya Creation Award Exhibition Grand Prix
January 2019 1st Tagawa Art Biennale Honorable Mention Award
March 2019 54th Showa-kai Exhibition Tokio Marine & Nichido Award
March 2019 54th Showa-kai Exhibition New York Prize
June 2019 ART OLYMPIA 2019 Excellence Award
July 2019: Selected for Kanagawa Prefecture Art Exhibition
February 2020 FACE 2020 Sompo Japan Koa Art Award Selected
September 2020 SICF21 Audience Award & Wacoal Study Hall Kyoto Encouragement Award
December 2020 UNKNOWN ASIA 2020 E+ Award & Reviewer Award
≪Book Department≫ Mr. Oyu Yamaguchi
Grand prize winning work
Title: “Beifutsu Shokusojo Issetsu”
Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell me honestly how you feel now.
I feel very grateful and happy.
I am filled with gratitude to my mentors who have guided me, my seniors in this field, and my family who support me on a daily basis.
Please tell us why you chose to become an artist.
When I was a child, I loved watching the brushstrokes of my calligraphy teacher as he wrote in front of me, and I remember desperately following the teacher's hand with my eyes.
Rather than trying to imitate a model, I enjoyed seeing if I could reproduce the comfortable movements.
Of course, no matter how much I wrote, I couldn't get close to it, but I learned that there are infinite ways to express calligraphy through movement.
Looking back now, I feel that this initial interest led me to enjoy expression, and that I naturally followed this path.
What made you decide to apply this time?
Kanagawa, where calligraphy is said to be popular, is home to many aspiring calligraphers.
My desire to exhibit and study at the historic Kanagawa Prefecture Art Exhibition was the trigger.
Please tell us about your thoughts on the production.
Although I felt lonely spending time alone due to the coronavirus, I was able to experience the joy of creating calligraphy and reaffirm the joy of learning as I was able to do something that I could silently immerse myself in, something that I was completely passionate about. It's fun to strive for ideals, and I worked hard every day with an eye toward the bright future ahead.
Please tell us what you were most particular about and what you found difficult.
It was created using the typeface of the Qin Shihuang era.
It is called a small seal, and you may still see it on seals, etc. There are restrictions due to the strong regularity of the characters, but by varying the strength of the lines and the speed of the strokes,
The ideal was to have both the characteristics of "restraint" and "release" in a natural way.
What kind of activities would you like to do in the future based on this award? Please tell us about your outlook and future goals.
I am currently working at Kawasaki Daishi.
It has a long history, and its rituals and manners have remained unchanged to this day.
Regardless of the field, traditional culture has an underlying beauty that has been refined over a long period of time.
Similarly to the path of calligraphy, I would like to cherish the foundation and strive to reach the highest level.
Our future goal is to turn the Monzen town connected to Kobo Daishi into a ``calli town'' and convey the charm of handwriting to as many people as possible.
Please give a message to everyone who is aiming to apply next year!
Kanagawa has a colorful history, and each region of the prefecture is connected by culture and art.
We hope that through your works, the joy of creating and appreciating them will be shared with many people, and that the appeal of art will continue into the future.
≪Profile≫
Yamaguchi's Great Dream
□Biography
Born in Kagoshima Prefecture in 1987
2009 Graduated from Daito Bunka University
Selected for Nitten Exhibition 6 times
Yomiuri Shoho Association Director
Kenshin Calligraphy Association Executive Director
Kawasaki City Calligraphy Federation Standing Director
≪Photography Department≫ DONG YUEYING
(left)
(center)
(right)
Grand prize winning work
Title: “Unnatural” 3-disc set
Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell me honestly how you feel now.
I was very happy. It also helped me gain confidence.
Please tell us why you chose to become an artist.
After graduating from university, I was thinking about what I should study next and whether I should get a job, but when I saw the work of an artist at a gallery, I thought that maybe I could choose to become an artist. , I followed my heart.
What made you decide to apply this time?
At first, I learned about it from my teacher during a class, and I thought that I might be able to exhibit my work as well.
Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it during production.
I would like to explore the possibilities of photographic expression by combining digital technology and live-action photography. We attempted a new expression by combining actual footage and digital technology. By using color elements, I highlight the differences from real life. The concept is that if the daily scenery suddenly changes, the viewer will feel some kind of relationship between ``their daily life'' and ``a sense of difference,'' and reconsider their own lives.
Please tell us what you were most particular about and what you found difficult.
As I was studying, I began to think about the relationship between environmental changes such as innovation and thought trends and artistic expression, so I focused on digital technology such as CG, 3D processing, and color processing.
For me, the most difficult thing is how to use 3D and CG software. It took a lot of time to learn from scratch.
What kind of activities would you like to do in the future based on this award? Please tell us about your outlook and future goals.
I was really worried about whether I should become a writer or look for a job in the future. So I applied for this award and was selected, and that's how I felt that I decided that I wanted to continue my career as a writer.
I realized that I wanted to continue creating works. I want to become a writer who can expand my range of activities from Asia to the rest of the world.
Please give a message to everyone who is aiming to apply next year!
Don't think too much, just try it~
≪Profile≫
DONG YUEYING
□Biography
2019 Graduated from Shanghai Visual Arts Academy, Department of Photography
2021 Tohoku University of Art and Design, Multidisciplinary Arts Department
You can watch a video of the venue of the 56th Kanagawa Prefecture Art Exhibition as an "online exhibition."
[Online exhibition] https://www.kanagawa-kenbiten.com/
56th Kanagawa Prefecture Art Exhibition
[Date and time] 1st period exhibition [2D 3D] August 25th (Wednesday) to September 5th (Sunday), 2021
2nd period exhibition [Crafts/Calligraphy/Photography] September 8th (Wednesday) to September 19th (Sunday), 2021
From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (until 2:00 p.m. on the last day of both periods)
[Venue] Kanagawa Kenmin Hall Gallery
[Official homepage] https://www.kanagawa-kenbiten.com/
