The 51st exhibition in “The Second Stage at GG” series will be “Choice,” a show of works by Masatoshi Tabuchi. This series spotlights artists who were at some time featured in one of the various open competitions held by Guardian Garden to support aspiring young talents. “The Second Stage at GG” exhibitions provide a look at what those promising artists have subsequently accomplished in their chosen fields.

Masatoshi Tabuchi was selected as a finalist in the 11th “1_WALL” Graphics Exhibition in 2014 for his outsize depictions of striped shirts. Today he has an active career as an illustrator, creating illustrations for books, packaging, CD covers, etc.

“Choice” will focus on Tabuchi’s ongoing series of minutely detailed depictions of everyday items, drawn in blue pencil or paint. He observes things all around us – a clothes drying rack neatly folded and packaged, fruit in a see-thru container – and transforms them into attractively depicted forms. His illustrations, created exclusively in blue, give an impression of extremely fine detail when viewed from a distance; but in their details we find stray pencil or brush strokes that make us realize that Tabuchi actually infuses an element of random occurrence is his drawings. In addition to his works done on different backings – not only white paper but also cardboard and acrylic board – the exhibition will feature Tabuchi’s video dealing with movements of a hanger changing shapes. Visitors are sure to enjoy what they discover on display.

During the exhibition’s run, Tabuchi will participate in two talk events: one with artist Kohei Sekigawa, and the other with graphic designer Hirokazu Matsuda, who regularly collaborates with Tabuchi as half of the unit “Hekichi.” Both events will be livestreamed.