Thirty years have passed since the Studio Ghibli film Whisper of the Heart was released, and the painter whose dreamlike backgrounds captivated audiences is now presenting his largest solo exhibition to date. Naohisa Inoue, known for crafting the fantastical art world of "Iblard," is holding a new print exhibition at ART SPACE SKY GALLERY in Tokyo's Ariake district, running from Saturday, June 20 to Sunday, June 28, 2026. Roughly 100 works centered on new prints and original paintings will be on display together.
A Meeting with Director Hayao Miyazaki
After graduating from art college, Inoue worked at an advertising agency and then as a high school teacher before becoming a full-time painter. Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli, who had long been drawn to Inoue's worldview, invited him to contribute background art to Whisper of the Heart. The film-within-a-film sequence "The Story the Baron Gave Me" (バロンのくれた物語) is widely regarded as a pure expression of Inoue's artistic universe and has moved many viewers deeply.
Following his involvement in Whisper of the Heart, Inoue went on to create murals for the Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Museum. His picture book Hoshi wo Katta Hi (The Day I Bought a Star) was adapted into a short animated film directed by Miyazaki himself, which has been screened at the museum's "土星座" theater and at Ghibli Park's "オリヲン座." His work has earned high acclaim both in Japan and abroad.
What Is Inoue's World of "Iblard"?
Just as Kenji Miyazawa once called Iwate Prefecture "Ihatov," Inoue named his home city of Ibaraki (いばらき市) "Iblard" — a word that transforms everyday scenes into something fantastical the moment it is spoken or imagined. The familiar view outside a train station becomes a sweeping hillside; the wheat field behind one's house glows like a golden plain; countless Laputa float overhead. "Iblard" is a utopia that teaches us how the world becomes more wondrous simply by shifting our perspective just a little.
Special Exhibition of Works from 50 Years Ago
Rare original paintings from 1974 — the very starting point of the Iblard world — will be on special display alongside early works previously shown at Koumi Town Kogen Museum of Art last year. These pieces are presented as reference exhibits.
Naohisa Inoue Signing Session
Sunday, June 28
Inoue will personally sign works for visitors who purchase a print or art book at the venue.
- Session 1: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM — for purchasers of prints
- Session 2: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM — for purchasers of art books
For detailed eligibility conditions, please inquire at the venue.
Special Perks for Visitors
- A tote bag featuring the image of the purchased work is included as a gift with every print purchase.
- An exclusive original sticker will be given to the first 100 visitors during the exhibition period (combined total).
New Prints Also Available Online for a Limited Time
From 12:00 PM on Saturday, July 20, new prints will be simultaneously unveiled and available for purchase on the gallery's online store.
Note: Online purchases are not eligible for the signing session.
https://artspace.thebase.in/categories/7392877
Exhibition Details
Exhibition Name: 喜寿記念 井上直久新作版画展 (Inoue Naohisa New Prints Exhibition — Celebrating His 77th Year)
Period: Saturday, June 20 to Sunday, June 28, 2026
Hours: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, open every day during the exhibition
Venue: ART SPACE SKY GALLERY (in front of Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake, Tokyo)
〒135-0063 Ariake Frontier Building B Tower, 11F, 3-7-26 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Inquiries: 03-6379-8885
Access:
- Yurikamome Line: Tokyo Big Sight Station, 1-minute walk
- Rinkai Line: International Exhibition Center (Kokusai-Tenjijo) Station, 4-minute walk
Gallery website: https://www.artgallery.co.jp/
