5th “1_WALL” Photography
Today, modes of artistic expression are becoming increasingly diversified, and together with artists who wholeheartedly seek to express themselves in new ways, Guardian Garden aspires to be a venue for considering new expressive modes. This aspiration derives from our hope that artists will overcome any hurdles in their way by offering them a gallery wall where they can express themselves freely, through their works.
The third and final round of judging is conducted open to public viewing. The six finalists give presentations of their works on display and their plans for their solo exhibition if they win the Grand Prize. The judges discuss the merits of each finalist’s portfolio, works shown, and presentation, and together decide the winner of the Grand Prize.
A group exhibition is held spotlighting the six finalists to emerge from the second round of judging. Each finalist is allocated a gallery wall (approx. 3.85m wide and 2.5m high) to display their works. Besides the works themselves, the judges also take into consideration how the finalists use their overall display space and how they show their works.
Ichiyo Ikezaki
Born in 1975
Graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design, Department of fine, Oil painting concentration. Graduated from La Guardia Community Collage, Department of Health Service: Mental Health
Rei Itaya
Born in 1978
Graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design, Tokyo College Of Photography. Freelance.
Ryuta Sakurai
Born in 1983
Yuki Shimizu
Born in 1984
Graduated from Musashino Art University Department of Imagining Arts and Sciences.
Yukiko Serikawa
Born in 1984
Yuuki Maruyama
Born in 1986
Graduated from Japan Academy of Moving Images. Currently attending Setsu Mode Seminar.
A portfolio review is held one-on-one between each entrant and a judge. Here, the entrants are given the opportunity to directly explain the motives behind their works or their production process. After all portfolio reviews are completed, the judges assemble to discuss their assessments and select the six finalists.
Judging is performed based on entrants’ work files and data. The judges, all prominent in their respective fields – design, illustration, photography, etc. – plus members of the secretariat, render their judgments from various perspectives. Thirty entrants are selected to continue on to the second round of judging.
(Art director, Graphic designer)
(Photographer and Artist)
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1968. Graduated from Tokyo Polytechnic University Junior College Department of Photography. Became a freelance photographer in 1991 after working as a newspaper cameraman. Winner of the 1997 Photographic Society of Japan’s Newcomer’s Award for DAYS ASIA. Presently works across a variety of mediums including for magazines, advertisements, commercials, and writers. Photo books include Hanahaneni, SUWA, days new york, homeland, and more.
(Photographer)
Born in Shingu, Wakayama, in 1963. In 2000 he received the 25th Kimura Ihei Award in Photography for “PILES OF TIME.” His recent publications include “Water Mirror” (Case Publishing / Fine-Art Photography Association), “SAKURA” (edition nord), “Étude” (SUPER LABO), “Between the Sea and the Mountain – Kumano ” (amanasalto), “Ishiki no nagare” [Stream of Consciousness] (edition nord) and “Atelier of Cézanne” (Nazraeli Press).
(Principal and director of AKAAKA Art Publishing)
Established AKAAKA Art Publishing in 2006. To date the company has published more than 200 books, mainly photo books and art books. Publications include many recipients of the Kimura Ihei Award: Lieko Shiga (“CANARY” 2007); Atsushi Okada (“I am” 2007); Masashi Asada (“Asadake” 2008); Cozue Takagi (“MID” 2009; “GROUND” 2009); Arata Dodo (“Taigan” 2012); Ryuichi Ishikawa (“A Grand Polyphony” 2014; “okinawan portraits 2010-2012” 2014); and Aya Fujioka (“Here Goes River” 2017). Since 2018 she is also a professor at Osaka University of Arts.
(Art critic)
Graduated from Kyoto University, Faculty of Letters. In 2007 one of her publications won a Scholastic Achievement Award from the Photographic Society of Japan. Other published works include Words and Things: Jiro Takamatsu’s issue with Japanese Art 1961-72 and Photographs by Yasuzo Nojima.