After the solo exhibition, March 3, 2026

Mar 2
2 min read

My long solo exhibition has just finished. I was in the gallery almost every day, communicating my thoughts to visitors through my works.

During the first half of the exhibition (February 10th to February 22nd), we held an on-site production project to print the copperplate print "Palcha," where we actually printed the plate on a press and explained the structure and plate-making methods of copperplate prints. Furthermore, we are proud that the large-scale print made using plastic printing has helped to broaden the base of appreciation for printmaking.

It has been 20 years since I started printmaking at Fukuoka University of Education. Since entering and graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, I have faced printmaking with various thoughts and feelings, and sometimes faced setbacks, but I have continued to work to this day, fueled by domestic and international printmaking competitions. I was deeply moved that my first solo exhibition in Japan in 12 years was held at Tokyo University of the Arts.

In the second half of the exhibition (2/24-3/1), I undertook two different drawing projects. In the first, I worked with the customer to come up with a title for a drawing I had made, and then I would add the title, sign, and stamp my seal, creating a collaborative effort to complete the work. By allowing the customer to have a say in my work, the piece gained a sense of exclusivity and ownership that was quite extraordinary. I was sometimes surprised by the perspectives and values of the customers when they chose titles. I realized that art is not just a one-way street, but that it is a mutual relationship that allows for deeper and more diverse discoveries and values to be added.

The second project was the creation of a Geidai drawing T-shirt. The response to this project far exceeded my expectations. The drawings were done in one go, without any preliminary sketches. I don't have any preconceived ideas, motifs, or expressions, and I'm not even concentrating; I create while chatting with customers and staff. I think this is a unique feature that other artists don't have. Normally, I'd be hesitant to talk to people while I'm working, but seeing that conversation and the artwork are part of the process while I'm drawing puts customers at ease, and they ask me endless questions. Talking puts me into a state of near-unconsciousness, which helps my hands move more smoothly, and helps me get my work done. The T-shirts I created through these interactions have sold out, including pre-orders. I hope to see great developments from this, including future productions and performances at solo exhibitions.