SUGAI KUMI

• SUGAI KUMI, was a Western-style painter and printmaker born in Kobe, who moved to France in 1952. Having studied Japanese painting, his works were highly acclaimed in the Paris art world for their oriental exoticism. In his early years, he painted forms reminiscent of hieroglyphs, but around 1962 his style shifted dramatically to depict geometric shapes in clear, vivid colors. Known as an avid speed enthusiast, he loved driving his Porsche at high speeds. The sights that imprinted themselves on his mind and the sensations of flowing colors while traveling at over 200 kilometers per hour often translated directly into his art, taking shape as motifs and compositions brimming with a sense of velocity.

• relevant artists

  • ANDO TADAO

    ANDO TADAO, Japanese architect, born in Osaka, self-taught in architecture. He is a first-class architect and special University Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo. He opened his own design studio in 1969. He has produced numerous works in Japan and abroad, including houses, churches, and hotels, mainly using concrete. Row House in Sumiyoshi (1976), Church of Light (1989), Benesse House Museum in Naoshima (1992), The Hundred Step Garden in Awaji (2000), Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest (2020), etc.

  • TSUTAKA WAICHI

    TSUTAKA WAICHI, Japanese Western-style painter and poet. His concise abstract expression is highly regarded both in Japan and abroad. He painted figurative paintings until early 1956, later he changed to abstract paintings with a distinctive poetic sentiment. In 1946, he exhibited his work at the Behavioral Arts Society Exhibition. In 1960, he exhibited at the New York Guggenheim Prize Art Exhibition. Since 1969, he had been a professor at the Department of Fine Arts, Osaka University of Arts, the following year he became an emeritus professor. Major Collections: Museum of Modern Art, New York; British Museum; Museum of Contemporary Art, Sao Paulo; National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

  • ANDY WARHOL

    Andy Warhol, regarded as one of the most famous figures in 20th century art, who is the advocate and leader of Pop Art, and the artist who influenced Pop Art the most. He boldly experimented with various reproduction techniques such as letterpress printing, rubber or wood topography, gold leaf technique, and photo projection. In addition to being a leading figure in Pop Art, Warhol was a filmmaker, writer, rock music composer, publisher, and a star artist in the New York social and artistic scene.

  • YOSHIDA TOSHIO

    YOSHIDA TOSHIO, a painter, born in Hyogo, Japan. He joined the Gutai Art Association in 1954. He characterized himself by creating works without using a paintbrush, and in his early years he produced works with holes drilled in boards and works with burn marks on boards. In the 1960s, he expanded from works using sponges to those using bubbles.

  • IMAI TOSHIMITSU

    IMAI TOSHIMITSU, born in Kyoto, Japan, received his training at Tokyo University of the Arts. His early works were influenced by Fauvism, and in 1952, he won the Best Newcomer Award at the 15th Shinseisaku Salon. In the same year, he went to Paris to study medieval history and philosophy. In 1955, under the influence of art critic MICHEL TAPIÉ, his style shifted towards abstraction. Imai exhibited at the São Paulo Biennale in 1953, held a group exhibition in Japan in 1956, and participated in the Venice Biennale in 1960. He received the Excellence Award at the 5th Tokyo Contemporary Art Exhibition in 1962. After 1970, he began incorporating text and Japanese cultural elements into his works, eventually addressing themes such as Japan's invasion of China and World War II. Major Collections: the Ohara Museum of Art; the National Museum of Art, Osaka; and the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

  • 加藤文彥

  • SHINODA MORIO

    SHINODA MORIO, a sculptor born in Meguro, Tokyo, is known for his artistic philosophy of TC (Tension and Compression). He employs tense steel wires as structures in his works, allowing parts of the artwork to float and suspend in the air. His creative technique involves creating tension using geometric structures and metallic materials. He remains active in the forefront of contemporary art. The TC philosophy originated from the architectural theories of Buckminster Fuller in 1958, and Shinozaki's unique and original expression has garnered international acclaim. His exhibited works at the Venice Biennale in 1966 received high praise on the international stage.