Galerie Tamenaga Tokyo presents "FROM G — Present Expressions by Four Artists from Tokyo University of the Arts," bringing together approximately 25 works by Takuya Osawa, Hiroko Otake, Kayoko Kimura, and Yuki Fujiwara. The exhibition runs from April 4 to May 6, 2026.
Tokyo University of the Arts was established in 1887 as the Tokyo Fine Arts School and has long been regarded as Japan's premier art institution. Emphasizing both the continuation of tradition and the exploration of contemporary expression across fields including Japanese painting, oil painting, sculpture, crafts, and design, the school has produced many distinguished artists. This exhibition brings together four artists who studied there and, while sharing a common starting point, have each developed their own distinct artistic language.
The Four Artists
Takuya Osawa
Born in 1979 in Saitama Prefecture, Osawa studied Japanese painting at Tokyo University of the Arts. He overlays urban landscapes with motifs from the natural world — depicting the shadows of trees rippling on water — to reveal inner landscapes that resonate deeply with viewers. His works adorn the walls of the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, the Tokyo Kaikan, the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa, and the Raffles Hotel in Shenzhen.
Hiroko Otake
Born in Gifu Prefecture, Otake studied Japanese painting at Tokyo University of the Arts. Using traditional materials such as mineral pigments, foil, and gold ink, she creates a richly expressive dreamlike world filled with butterflies and flowers that embody both creation and dissolution. Her work spans live performances and collaborations with fashion and interior brands, earning wide recognition in Japan and abroad.
Kayoko Kimura
Born in 1971 in Tokyo, Kimura completed a Master's degree at the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. Through the layering of lines to depict floral forms, she explores the universal themes of the cosmos, time, life, and death — seeking a new conception of what a flower can be.
Yuki Fujiwara
Born in 1978 in Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujiwara completed a doctoral program in oil painting at the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. Building on meticulous, technically refined draughtsmanship, she creates works in the Surrealist tradition — depicting dynamic worlds of flowers and animals that make the energy of life visible.
Though the four artists share the same alma mater, the techniques and perspectives each has cultivated diverge widely. The contrasts and resonances between their respective visions are one of the central draws of this exhibition.
Exhibition Information
FROM G — Present Expressions by Four Artists from Tokyo University of the Arts —
- Dates: Saturday, April 4 – Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (public holiday)
- Opening Reception: Saturday, April 4, 4:00 PM–6:00 PM (Takuya Osawa, Hiroko Otake, and Yuki Fujiwara in attendance)
- Venue: Galerie Tamenaga, 6-5-39 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Hours: Mon–Sat 11:00 AM–7:00 PM / Sun & Public Holidays 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Official Website: www.tamenaga.com
