The “Time Tunnel” series places the spotlight on the earliest works of artists who have subsequently risen to the pinnacle of their field. Exhibitions probe into the concepts and methods of artistic expression at the source of these artists’ success.

The 31st exhibition in the series features works by art director and graphic designer Yukimasa Okumura. In the early 1970s, as a member of WORKSHOP MU!!, together with Tatsuhiko Manabe and Yasushi Nakayama he worked on numerous record jackets for Japanese rock artists during the genre’s formative years, including such acts as Happy End and Sadistic Mika Band. Subsequently, as art director in charge of the design of record cover art, posters, videos, stage sets and commercials for Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), he produced a succession of brilliant visuals that collectively resulted in his having a powerful impact on the Japanese music scene. Starting in 1989 he was quick to experiment in creating graphic works by computer as well as works applying his drawing skills in Japanese-style painting, which he had studied since his youth. As varied as his methods and approaches are, his artistic design work and the aesthetic eye he cultivated from his childhood are peerless. In recent years, Mr. Okumura continues to probe new approaches, as illustrated by his book design for ATOKATA, a book of photos by Kishin Shinoyama, and his finely executed line drawing technique adopted for his “Hiroshima Appeals 2012” poster.

The exhibition title, “The 2nd Yukimasa Okumura Festival,” harks back to the first event so named which was held to celebrate his winning of his first Tokyo ADC Award in 1982, shortly after he went freelance. For this second “festival” 31 years later, two venues will present visitors an overview of the wondrous appeal of Mr. Okumura’s design works, from his debut years right up to the present.