The Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition, founded in 1965, is the prefecture's largest public art exhibition. It is held as a place where art enthusiasts active in various fields can inspire each other and foster new talent, with the aim of providing an opportunity to present their works.

This year, 1,272 outstanding works were submitted from all over Japan, and after a rigorous screening process, the grand prize winners were selected in each of the four categories of 2D/3D works, crafts, calligraphy, and photography. We spoke to the four grand prize winners.

Planar and 3D Division Mr. Rin
"The Gap Where Lightning Strikes"

- Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell us how you feel now.

I am so grateful to the judges who chose my work. I actually missed the call from the Kanagawa Art Exhibition on the day. I saw the email that I had won the Grand Prize. I was crying.
I had mixed feelings after winning the award. I am very grateful to the Kanagawa Art Exhibition for giving me this valuable opportunity. I remembered my experience studying abroad in Japan and was glad that I chose to stick to my dream even when I had failed. After that, I told my parents about the award and told them that the prize money would go towards my art university tuition fees, and I also told my teacher Osamu Oobi, who had helped me so far, about this good result.
I am truly grateful to the Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition and the judges who selected my work.

-What made you decide to become an artist?

I am currently an international student at an art university. At first, I simply liked painting. I attended a foreign language school in high school. That's when I started to learn about Japanese painting. It's quiet, but filled with beautiful human emotions, and being an introvert, I longed to study in Japan.
Since coming to Japan, my entrance exam studies have not gone well, and I have never been accepted into the school of my choice. I am an introvert, so it is difficult for me to express my strengths in front of others, and I have thought about giving up halfway through. The reason I wanted to quit art was because of the bitter experience of failure. It's not that I no longer wanted to draw. At that time, I just wanted to run away from failure.
I know that I still love drawing, so I applied to several schools' exams, and if I pass one, I can continue drawing. My creations after entering art college also slowly emerged from the shadow of failure. I took a masked exam and entered a new art college a year later, and after two more years, I finally transferred to my desired school. I hope that in the future, I have the potential to become a real artist.

What made you decide to apply this time?

My previous art university was in Kanagawa Prefecture, and I knew about the Kanagawa Art Exhibition from a poster at school.
It's a large-scale, long-standing exhibition that I've always admired. I participated last year and was selected. Since entering a new art university, I've been enjoying researching materials and techniques. This year's work is completely different from last year's.
I am particularly interested in Mizusawa Tsutomu. I have read his writings in art magazines before, but this was the first time I had heard of his name in a piece about Japanese spiritualism. Since I was a child, I have had a deep feeling for traditional Asian mysticism, and when I saw Mizusawa Tsutomu's name on the judging panel, I was very intrigued.

-Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it while creating it.

My work is basically about my fantasy now. I want to incorporate Asian folklore and traditional culture into my fantasy and express new values that fit with modern society through my own ideas. I mainly use tempera as my painting material.
Lightning strikes are often accompanied by supernatural phenomena, and in the painting, spirits that do not want to leave the ruined castle are waiting for the destroyed land. When I painted this work, I was thinking about Asians' romantic view of life and death, and ghosts have their own feelings.
When I first came to Japan, I saw houses surrounded by cemeteries. Japanese people believe that in this way, deceased elders can bless the living. It seems that the deceased still have a kind of strong connection with the living, and the boundary between life and death is becoming more and more blurred.

-What was the thing you paid the most attention to and what were the difficulties you faced?

When it comes to fantasy works, I think it's important to feel what comes from your heart.
When I feel like it's hard, it's probably because I don't have enough time. There is a time limit for each free assignment at school, and it's difficult to complete the picture when the time is up. Right now, I'm still struggling within the school rules.

-Please tell us about your upcoming activities and future goals.

My goal is to become an artist. I plan to have my first solo exhibition next year. I will continue to paint from now on.
As for the future, I will continue to study techniques and materials. I will continue to create fantastic works related to traditional Asian folk culture. Thank you very much for giving me the valuable opportunity to participate in the 59th Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition.

-Please give a message to everyone aiming to apply next year.

We believe that the Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition will connect strangers with each other and create possibilities for the future.

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Rin

[Brief biography]
Born in Chongqing, China
Studied in Japan after graduating from high school
2020 Admission to Kobe Design University
2021 Admission to Joshibi University of Art and Design
2023 Musashino Art University 2nd year transfer
[Exhibition]
2022 18th Kirishima Art Grand Prize Exhibition Kirishima Cultural Association Award Winner / Kokubu Civic Center
2022 General Category Special Prize Traveling Exhibition / Former Tanaka Villa
Selected for the 33rd Mihama Art Exhibition in 2022 / Navias Lifelong Learning Center, Mihama-cho, Fukui Prefecture
2023: "Connecting Exhibition" jointly organized by three galleries in Kunitachi City / Art Space 88
Selected for the 58th Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition in 2023 / Kanagawa Prefectural Hall Gallery
2023 Over REV. Asian International Student Artist Exchange Exhibition / The Artcomplex Center of Tokyo ACT
2023 Musashino Art University Oil Painting Department 2nd year advanced production Winner of the Kabayama Yukazu Award / Campus
2024 MUSABI Open Campus Student Selection Exhibition/Campus

Craftsman Aimi Washino
"moment"

- Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell us how you feel now.
　
I'm very happy. As an artist, it makes me happy to have my work recognized, and it gives me confidence in my future work.

-What made you decide to become an artist?
　
I think it's all thanks to the support of my family.
　
What made you decide to apply this time?
　
It all started when I saw the page for the public competition about 10 years ago when I was a university student. I'm originally from Kanagawa Prefecture, so I'd always wanted to apply. I had just completed a major piece of work, so I decided to apply this time.
　
-Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it while creating it.
　
This piece was named "Instant" after the image of a moment during hunting. It is a marquetry sculpture that depicts the flight of an owl with a sharp gaze fixed on its prey.

-What was the thing you paid the most attention to and what were the difficulties you faced?
　
The most important thing was the expression of the inlay of the feathers. I used the inlay technique to express the pattern of the owl's feathers by layering pieces of wood less than 1mm thick. The most difficult part was hollowing out the inside of the body to give it a light feel. I tried to express the lightness of the owl even in the parts that cannot be seen.
　
-Please tell us about your upcoming activities and future goals.
　
As for my future activities, I have always created the works that I wanted to create. Therefore, I would like to see and feel various things and use them in my future productions. As for my future goals, as an artist from Kanagawa Prefecture, I would like to be active both in Japan and overseas.
　
-Please give a message to those who are aiming to apply next year.
　
The Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition has also become a nationwide competition, there are no age restrictions, and works can now be made larger than before, so I think it's a public exhibition where you can make as many of the things you like and have others see them. Please do try submitting your work.

"profile"

Ami Washino

HP: https://manamiwashino.com
Campfire: https://community.camp-fire.jp/projects/view/655527
X: https://x.com/manamiwashino
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manamiwashino/

[Brief biography]
Born in November 1992 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
April 2012: Enrolled in the Design Department of Tokyo University of the Arts
March 2018: Graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School of Fine Arts, Department of Design, Space and Design Lab
April 2018: Part-time lecturer at Chiba University, Department of Integrated Engineering, Design Course
Currently a research assistant at the Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Design.
[Awards]
2016 64th Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation/Complete Works Exhibition Tokyo University of the Arts Heisei Art Award
2016 MITSUKOSHI x Tokyo University of the Arts Design Competition Art & Creation Design Award Audience Award
2017: Honorable Mention for the "Snow Design Award" at the Nakaya Ukichiro Snow Science Museum, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
2018 66th Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation and Completion Works Exhibition Taito Ward Mayor's Encouragement Award
[Major exhibition history]
January 2016: 64th Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
June 2016, Heisei Memorial Museum Gallery "Tokyo University of the Arts Heisei Art Award Winning Artists Exhibition: Great Artists of the Future"
July 2016 Aoyama Spiral "Kurasu: An Experiment in Spatial Design"
August 2016: Special venue in front of the escalator on the first floor of the new Mitsukoshi building at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi "MITSUKOSHI x Tokyo University of the Arts Design Competition Art & Creation Design Award"
January 2018 66th Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation and Completion Exhibition Tokyo University of the Arts Museum, 3rd floor
February 2018 Seibu Shibuya Store B Building 8th Floor Art Gallery “Tokyo University of the Arts 130th Anniversary ARTS AFFAIR OF GEIDAI”
April 2018 Aoyama Spiral 3F SICF19
May 2018, Shinjuku Isetan 5th floor art gallery
June 2018, Shinjuku Isetan 5th floor art gallery
August 2018 Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, 6th floor, Art Floor MITSUKOSHI x Tokyo University of the Arts Summer Art Festival 2018
August 2018: Solo exhibition at the 6th floor art gallery of the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
February 2019: Ginza Mitsukoshi 7th floor Japan Edition Seizan Gallery permanent space
May 2019: Aoyama Spiral Garden Mototen (Tokyo University of the Arts & Alumni)
May 2019 Shibuya Hikarie 8th floor CUBE1,2,3/Gallery MONSTER Exhibition
August 2019, Paris Exhibition Galerie Grand E'Terna Paris
October 2019 Hoshino Resorts OMO Tokyo Otsuka Base OMO Base Base Solo Exhibition
October 2021: Solo exhibition "Ko-tori no Ichi" at the Nishi-Gotanda Office (Foundation Secretariat) of the Wild Bird Society of Japan
April 2023 Jingumae TIERS GALLERY
September 2023 New York City Blue Gallery
November 2023 BAG -Brillia Art Gallery

Calligraphy by Yukie Kataoka
"Li He Poem"

- Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell us how you feel now.

Thank you very much. I feel a great sense of responsibility in receiving this award. At the same time, I am also feeling a surge of gratitude towards my teacher and fellow calligraphers.

-What made you decide to become an artist?

I started learning calligraphy because I wanted to acquire it as a form of culture. When I reached an age where I thought I was halfway through the 100-year lifespan, I decided to devote myself to calligraphy.
I wanted to live a life that I could say I was "dedicated" to.

What made you decide to apply this time?

When the art exhibition became open to the whole country, I gave up on applying because of the high barrier to entry. Then someone encouraged me to apply, and I started trying again a few years ago. I think this is a valuable exhibition where you can see a variety of calligraphy styles in one place.

-Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it while creating it.

The golden dragon and bat motifs on the bright yellow dyed paper are reminiscent of the Chinese emperor. I wanted to express characters that have the same vibrancy and strength as the plaques in the Forbidden Palace, the residence of the emperor.

-What was the thing you paid the most attention to and what were the difficulties you faced?

I asked the mounting shop to wait until the very last minute. I put a lot of effort into writing the main text of the work, but what I paid the most attention to was the stamping of the signature seal that I would use at the end after I had finished writing the work. I was unsure about the color of the seal to use on the bright yellow paper. The size of the seal, the position of the seal, and how much ink was applied. These are also part of the work.

-Please tell us about your upcoming activities and future goals.
I would like to continue to enjoy the scent of ink as I have done until now. I would like to project the shapes of the characters I have in my heart through my brush and refine them into works of art with dignity.

-Please give a message to those who are aiming to apply next year.

The appeal of the Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition is that the judges are not calligraphers, but also critics, curators, etc. Please create your own work based on your own idea of "I would like to write like this."

"profile"

Yukiaki Kataoka

[Brief biography]
Born in Yokohama in 1960
Mainichi Calligraphy Exhibition Jury Member
Toho Calligraphy School Member
Councillor of the Asamonshokai
Director of Higashihara Calligraphy Association
Kanagawa Calligrapher Club Member
Teacher: Ranko Ikoma

[Awards]
Selected for the Nitten Exhibition
Mainichi Calligraphy Exhibition Member's Award

Photo by Yu Agan
"Ava."

- Congratulations on winning the grand prize. Please tell us how you feel now.

I was really surprised when I heard that I had won the grand prize. First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the judges. I would also like to express my gratitude to my graduate school supervisor, Professor Yoshinori Marui, who gave me a lot of advice on the selection and editing of my work.

-What made you decide to become an artist?

I love taking photos. I chose to pursue photography because I wanted to observe and experience the many beautiful and interesting things in the world through photography.

What made you decide to apply this time?

Actually, last year, I was invited to apply by Professor Obara, who is a judge for the photography category, but I didn't apply because I didn't have the confidence. This year, I wanted to take on a new challenge, so I mustered up the courage to apply.

-Please tell us about the concept of your work and the thoughts you put into it while creating it.
The work "Aba" is a collection of photographs taken in my hometown deep in the mountains of China. Since I was young, I left the mountains to continue my studies and live in a big city, but every time I return to my hometown, I find healing in my heart. I wanted to express the beauty and richness of my hometown in my photographs.

-What was the thing you paid the most attention to and what were the difficulties you faced?

It is a film photograph taken in the highlands in winter, but in order to create an overall pure white impression, I adjusted the colors many times and adjusted the highlights as much as possible to prevent them from being blown out. Also, after carefully considering what kind of photos I wanted to show, I placed photos of natural scenery and photos expressing religious themes on the left and right, and connected them in the middle with portrait photos that represent human life.

-Please tell us about your upcoming activities and future goals.

I would like to continue taking photographs while looking at the beautiful things around me.

-Please give a message to everyone aiming to apply next year.

The judges will provide you with a variety of comments and valuable opinions, so please apply.

"profile"

By Akan

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuagan/
[Brief biography]
1995 Born in Sichuan, China
2018 Visit to Japan
2022 Tokyo Polytechnic University Research Student Graduate
Currently enrolled in the Graduate School of Art and Design at Tokyo Polytechnic University

[Awards]
APA AWARD 2024 Selected