An exhibition of works by Kyoka Tanno (丹野 杏香), "FOREST REPOSE," will be held at arflex Nagoya from Thursday, November 5 to Tuesday, November 24, 2026. It is part of the "LIFE with ART project," which proposes a comfortable relationship between art and interiors. At arflex Nagoya, works by Tanno, an artist who has worked on many book cover illustrations and other illustrations, are on display and for sale.
Tanno's bold designs, reminiscent of paper cutouts and prints, are drawn with a brush in black acrylic paint. Her patterns and shapes carry a hint of an ethnic feel, and both strength and the subtle wavering of handwork coexist in them. Visitors can take in Tanno's world, which captures even the unseen "presence" of things, within the arflex space.
Live Portrait Event "BLACK PORTRAIT"
Image is for illustration purposes.
Tanno draws each participant's profile on the spot. Scraps of arflex furniture are used as texture in part of each portrait, and the finished work can be taken home on the day.
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time slots:
- 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- 11:40 AM – 12:10 PM
- 1:10 PM – 1:40 PM
- 1:50 PM – 2:20 PM
- 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
- 3:10 PM – 3:40 PM
- 3:50 PM – 4:20 PM
- 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Participation fee: ¥3,300 (tax included)
- One participant per session, on a first-come, first-served basis
- Payment is made on the day by cash or card
- Finished size: postcard size (10 × 14.8 cm)
Works on Display
Under the Tree - Wandering Foxes / H.378 × W.288 mm (framed size) / Acrylic paint / 2026
Under the Tree - Egg Guarding Birds / H.378 × W.288 mm (framed size) / Acrylic paint / 2026
Under the Tree - Resting Caterpillars / H.378 × W.288 mm (framed size) / Acrylic paint / 2026
Artist's Statement
I like thinking about the shapes of plants and trees, and I sometimes jot them down as they come to mind.
The shapes change with my mood at the time.
Some days I want to draw large leaves, some days jagged leaves feel right, and some days symmetry is comforting.
I search for forms while checking in on these moods of my hand.I am not picturing a tree that exists somewhere.
Within a set frame, I let branches and leaves stretch freely, moving my hand in search of a shape that feels good to me.
I love that time, because pictures naturally emerge from the tip of the pencil.
The trees on display are imaginary forms born in that way.
This time, I will line up mainly trees I have drawn so far, along with some past works, in a single space."FOREST REPOSE" means resting quietly in a forest.
I would be happy if you could spend a relaxed time, sinking into a sofa and slowly looking at the rhythm of each different shape, as if taking a break among the trees.— Kyoka Tanno
About the Artist
Kyoka Tanno (丹野 杏香) was born in 1994 and lives in Tokyo. After graduating from the Toyo Institute of Art and Design (東洋美術学校), she began working as a freelance illustrator and painter. She creates illustrations for a wide range of media, including book covers, packaging, illustrations, and store visuals. Her themes often include plants, animals, and a perspective rooted in people's daily lives and local climate and culture. Her work is characterized by solid, weighty forms in which a primitive atmosphere and modern expression blend together. She is also active in exhibitions, continuing to create and present her work.
Exhibition Details
Kyoka Tanno Exhibition "FOREST REPOSE"
- Dates: Thursday, November 5 – Tuesday, November 24, 2026 (Closed Wednesdays and holidays)
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Venue: arflex Nagoya
- Address: Nagoya Wakamiya Bldg. 1F, 5-28-12 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya
- Tel: 052-269-9770
- Website: https://www.arflex.co.jp/topics/20261031_tanno
- Admission: Free
curated by noie.cc
