all photos by URRY
There’s Yayoi Kusama and Mariko Mori; Chiharu Shiota and Chiho Aoshima. Mainstream female artists in Japan are undeniably making a mark on the art scene both in Japan and beyond. But when it comes to emerging female artists the playing field is anything but level. The historical perception that women weren’t suited to become artists is still having an effect on Japan’s art world. “The number of practicing freelance female artists in Japan is still eclipsed by the number of men,” says TokyoDex, who have curated Blossom Blast: a new exhibition that showcases the amazing talent of female artists based in Japan.
“Uchu ni tadayou mizuiro no osushi” (宇宙に漂う水色のお寿司) (2014) by Mako・Principal
“Prices paid for artwork created by women are lower than that of their male counterparts, reflecting a problematic trend around the world,” says the creative agency that curated the show in tandem with International Woman’s Day (March 8). Fifteen different female artists are represented in the show, and include a wide spectrum of genres: everything from calligraphy and graphic design to traditional painting, sculpture and performance.
The exhibition just opened and is on view at UltraSuperNew Gallery in Harajuku through March 16, 2016. A special party is happening on 3/8 for International Women’s Day.
Live-painter Gerutama at work
”Girl Powers” by Eko Hayashi
Sculpture and canvas artwork by Chiaki Kohara
left: “Calligraf2ity” (2016) by Calligrapher Mami | right: “shiro no kehai” (白の気配) (2015) by Yoriko Youda
“Archie : Gender Unknown” (2016) by Miki Saito
“Candy Sea Pop” (2011) / “Invisible Eclipse feat. Jebski” (2010) / “the CIRCUS” (2014) by Haruka Sakota
from left to right: Rika Shimasaki, Frankie Cihi, Yuko Kanatani and Kuristina culina
Related posts:
Kotobuki: An Exhibition Celebrating Japanese Design
Five Sculptors: an exhibition surveying contemporary Japanese sculpture
The Mirror: 30 Major Artists Descend Upon an 80-Year Old Office Building in Ginza
BCTION: Over 70 Artists Turn a Tokyo Office Building Slated for Demolition Into Massive Art Gallery
March 13, 2016 at 6:18 pm
I really love the idea of an exhibit showing the works of all female artists, especially during International Women’s Day. I was really drawn to the beautiful colors and flower patterns the artists used in their works. It was a beautiful hybrid of modern and contemporary Japanese art. It’s also nice to see such a range in creativity. Only a few pictures showed me that there were not only paintings, but also sculptures and graphic design. I wish I had the chance to check out this exhibit!