The 56th Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition brought to you by Kanagawa Prefecture, a land of culture and art.
The Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition, one of the largest open art exhibitions in Japan, started in 1965 and is now in its 56th year.
Unfortunately, last year the event was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19, but this year it was held with thorough precautions in place.
This art exhibition, with its long history and proven track record, once again attracted many wonderful works of art from all over the country this year.
This art exhibition is highly regarded as a gateway for young artists, as many of the applicants who have won the prize have gone on to great success. There are four categories for public entries: two-dimensional sculpture, crafts, calligraphy, and photography. We interviewed the four people who won the grand prize in each category.
We hope to convey the thoughts of the award winners about their work and their passion for art as they spoke passionately about their work.
<2D and 3D Art Section> Asako Ishizaki
Grand Prize Winner
Title: "Side view"
Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell us frankly how you feel now.
I was very surprised, very happy and it gave me confidence in my work.
What made you decide to become an artist?
I like using my hands, and the time it takes to give shape to an idea is very fulfilling.
What made you decide to apply this time?
The work is made up of simple design elements, such as the surface treatment and balance of the arrangement, which are difficult to convey in a photograph, but I thought that since the judges would be able to see the actual work, it would be easier to convey my work.
Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it while creating it.
As the title "Landscape from the Side" suggests, I created this work while being conscious of the differences in how each surface looks when viewed from various angles. The images of ridges and overlaps that I get when looking at a landscape are connected to the work.
Please tell us what you paid the most attention to and what was the most difficult part.
We paid special attention to the casters attached to the base to imply mobility, and to the bending of the aluminum plates so that the appearance changes depending on the angle.
The most difficult part was the L-shaped base. In order to express the concept simply, it took a long time to give the wood a smooth surface treatment.
What kind of activities do you want to do from now on, using this award as motivation? Please tell us your vision and future goals.
I would love to exhibit my work in various places!
In order to continue our creative activities, we will first work on creating the right environment.
Please give a message to everyone aiming to apply next year!
Please treasure what you think is good.
I look forward to seeing some 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 Program in Fine Arts, Sculpture Course, 1st year student
□Exhibition
2017 Group Exhibition "Musabi Art Site" (Musashi-Kokubunji Park/Tokyo)
2019 Group exhibition "Kodaira Art Site Yorimichi Art 2019" (Kodaira City Central Park/Tokyo)
2020 Group exhibition "Delirium" (KOGANEl ART SPOT Chateau 2F/Tokyo)
2021 "Musashino Art University Graduation and Completion Exhibition 2020" (Musashino Art University Takanodai Campus/Tokyo)
2021 Two-person exhibition "Strap Hole" (Musashino Art University Takanodai Campus/Tokyo)
2021 "Musashino Art University Excellent Works Exhibition" (Musashino Art University Museum/Tokyo)
□Planning and Activities
2019: Planning and Executive Committee Chairperson "Kodaira Art Site Yorimichi Geijutsu 2019" (Kodaira City Central Park/Tokyo)
2019: Planning and moderator, "Masao Shirakawa Talk Event: Art and Publicness, The Possibilities of Regional Art" (Kodaira City Central Park/Tokyo)
2020 Project "Delirious Thoughts" (KOGANEl ART SPOT Chateau 2F/Tokyo)
2020 Project "Installation and Packaging Lecture" (Musashino Art University FAL/Tokyo)
2021 Talk event/presentation "Polyphonic Tabe" (Musashino Art University Museum/Tokyo)
□Awards
2021: Winner of the Excellence Award at the Musashino Art University Graduation Exhibition
<Crafts Division> Ken Tanishiki
Grand Prize Winner
Title: "OLLIE IN" (wooden graining, special printing)
Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell us frankly how you feel now.
I was very grateful and pleased. It was a new way of expression for me, so it has encouraged me to continue my work in the future.
What made you decide to become an artist?
There were several motivations, but I think it was because I wanted to convey the emotions and imagination I felt to someone else.
What made you decide to apply this time?
I applied last time too and received a lot of feedback from people,
I applied again this year. The regulations on the size of works were very large, which is unusual for an art exhibition, and there was a lot of freedom in the selection of works, so I was impressed with their welcoming attitude.
Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it while creating it.
In the midst of this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to turn this situation and experience into something positive, so I chose skateboarding as my motif, which has a perspective on overcoming obstacles and how to make use of those obstacles.
I feel that secondhand clothing is a material that contains spiritual elements such as memories and recollections, so I asked my acquaintances to donate old clothes that actual skaters could no longer wear, and created this collection with the hope that people would be able to feel the energy, courage, and sense of freedom that comes from using that spirituality and physicality to create obstacles for others.
Please tell us what you paid the most attention to and what was the most difficult part.
This can be said about all my works, but I always take great care to incorporate the old clothes I receive into my work. The most difficult part was collecting socks (laughs).
Socks are seen as consumable items and if they are in poor condition they will quickly be thrown away.
What kind of activities do you want to do from now on, using this award as motivation? Please tell us your vision and future goals.
My works involve real people, and cannot be completed by myself. The time axis and relationships greatly affect the way the work is created. Rather than creating it alone, it is only with the help of real collaborators that I can complete it.
My own motivation and theme for creating art is proof of existence, so I would be extremely happy if receiving this award would help me to make more connections with others and receive the cooperation of many people!
I also imagine that the work will make future generations realize, hundreds of years from now, that people like these existed, and my goal is to create works that are super durable and strong.
Please give a message to everyone aiming to apply next year!
The Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition has strict size regulations, and is very accepting of what you want to express, including providing friendly advice during the exhibition, so I hope you will give it your all and take on the challenge.
Profile
Ken Yashiki
Born in Tokyo in 1983
□ Major awards
December 2007: JFW JAPAN CREATION TEXTILE CONTEST 2008 Newcomer Award
September 2018: 25th Yuzawaya Creation Award Exhibition Grand Prize
January 2019: 1st Tagawa Art Biennale, Honorable Mention Award
March 2019: 54th Showakai Exhibition, Tokyo Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Award
March 2019: 54th Showakai Exhibition New York Award
June 2019 ART OLYMPIA 2019 Excellence Award
July 2019: Selected for the Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition
February 2020: Selected for the FACE 2020 Sompo Japan Koa Art Award
September 2020 SICF21 Audience Award & Wacoal Study Hall Kyoto Encouragement Award
December 2020 UNKNOWN ASIA 2020 ePlus Award & Reviewer Award
<Calligraphy section> Yamaguchi Daimu
Grand Prize Winner
Title: "A section from the Shusu Notebook by Mi Fu"
Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell us frankly 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 who support me on a daily basis, and my family.
What made you decide to become an artist?
When I was a child, I loved watching my calligraphy teacher's brush movements as he wrote in front of me, and I remember desperately following the teacher's hands with my eyes.
Rather than trying to imitate the example, I enjoyed trying to reproduce the comfortable movements.
Of course, no matter how much I wrote I could never get close, but I learned that there are infinite ways to express calligraphy through movement.
Looking back now, I think that this initial interest led me to enjoy expressing myself, and I naturally progressed down this path.
What made you decide to apply this time?
Kanagawa is known as a city in which calligraphy is thriving, and is home to many aspiring calligraphers.
It all started with my desire to exhibit my work at the historic Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition and learn more.
Please tell us about the thoughts you put into this production.
Although the "alone time" caused by COVID-19 was lonely, calligraphy, which I could devote myself to in silence and with complete passion, allowed me to experience the joy of creating and reaffirm the joy of learning. Striving for an ideal is fun, and I picked up my brush every day, looking toward a bright future.
Please tell us what you paid the most attention to and what was the most difficult part.
It was created using a typeface from the time of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of Qin.
This is called small seal script, and you may still see it on seals today. The characters are very regular and constrained, but by varying the strength and speed of the lines,
The ideal was to effortlessly combine the characteristics of "restraint" and "liberation."
What kind of activities do you want to do from now on, using this award as motivation? Please tell us your vision and future goals.
I currently work at Kawasaki Daishi.
Having inherited a long history, the rituals and etiquette have been passed down unchanged to this day.
Regardless of the field, traditional culture has an inherent beauty that has been honed over a long period of time.
Similarly in the art of calligraphy, I would like to value the foundations and make efforts to reach a higher rank.
Our goal for the future is for this temple town associated with Kobo Daishi to become a "town of calligraphy" and to convey the charm of handwriting to many people.
Please give a message to everyone aiming to apply next year!
Kanagawa is rich in history and is connected to each region of the prefecture by culture and art.
We hope that through your works, the joy of creating and appreciating art will be shared with many people, and that the charm of art will be passed on to future generations.
Profile
Yamaguchi Taimu
□ Biography
Born in Kagoshima Prefecture in 1987
Graduated from Daito Bunka University in 2009
Selected for the Nitten Exhibition 6 times
Director of the Yomiuri Calligraphy Association
Standing Director of Kenshin Calligraphy Association
Kawasaki City Calligraphy Federation Executive Director
<Photography category> DONG YUEYING
(left)
(Center)
(right)
Grand Prize Winner
Title: "Unnatural" 3-disc set
Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell us frankly how you feel now.
I was very happy and it gave me confidence.
What made you decide to become an artist?
After graduating from university, I was wondering what to study and what job to get, but when I saw an artist's work in a gallery, I thought maybe I should choose the path of an artist, so I followed my heart.
What made you decide to apply this time?
I first learned about it from my teacher during class and wondered if I could exhibit my own work there too.
Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it while creating it.
I would like to explore the possibilities of photographic expression that combines digital technology and real-life photography. I tried a new expression by combining actual footage with digital technology. I deal with color elements to highlight the difference from real life. The concept is that if the everyday scenery suddenly changes, the viewer will feel some kind of relationship between "their everyday life" and the "sense of difference," and will reconsider their own lives.
Please tell us what you paid the most attention to and what was the most difficult part.
In the course of my studies, I began to think about the relationship between environmental changes such as innovation and trends of thought and artistic expression, so I am focusing on digital technology such as CG, 3D processing, and color processing.
For me, the most difficult thing was learning how to use 3D and CG software. It took a long time to learn it from scratch.
What kind of activities do you want to do from now on, using this award as motivation? Please tell us your vision and future goals.
I was really struggling with the decision of whether to become a writer or to start job hunting in the future. So I applied for this award and was selected, and after going through all of that, I felt like I had made up my mind that "after all, I want to continue my career as a writer."
I realized that I want to continue creating art in the future. I want to become an artist who can expand the scope of my work from Asia to the world.
Please give a message to everyone aiming to apply next year!
Don't think too much about it, just give it a try
Profile
DONG YUEYING
□ Biography
2019 Graduated from Shanghai Visual Arts Academy, Department of Photography
2021: Enrolled in the Tohoku University of Art and Design, Department of Interdisciplinary Arts
You can watch a video of the 56th Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition as an "online exhibition."
［Online Exhibition］ https://www.kanagawa-kenbiten.com/
The 56th Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition
[Date and time] 1st exhibition [2D works] Wednesday, August 25, 2021 to Sunday, September 5, 2021
2nd Exhibition [Crafts, Calligraphy, Photography] September 8th (Wed) to September 19th (Sun), 2021
10:00am to 6:00pm (until 2:00pm on the final day of each session)
[Venue] Kanagawa Prefectural Hall Gallery
[Official website] https://www.kanagawa-kenbiten.com/
