The 7th “1_WALL” Graphics Exhibition is part of an open competition for the right to mount a solo show at Guardian Garden. The exhibition features works by the six finalists after two rounds of judging: the first round focused on all entrants’ portfolios, and the second round evaluated the portfolio presentations of the graphic designers selected in the initial round. Each finalist is allocated one wall on which to show his or her works. The final round of judging will take place on August 30 (Thu), i.e. while the exhibition is in progress. During this round, which is open to the public, the six finalists will each give a presentation of his or her works, based on which the judges will select the Grand Prix winner. The winner’s prize is the privilege of mounting a solo show at the gallery one year later plus the right to prepare an exhibition pamphlet.
The “1_WALL” competitions evaluate budding graphic designers for their creative talent and potential, giving all entrants an opportunity to test the limits of their expressive capabilities. The seventh exhibition in the series, like earlier exhibitions, brings together a colorful array of works by the six finalists after the first two rounds. These include: graphic canvases depicting Japan’s ubiquitous salarymen, created using stamps of drawings individually made from actual digital photos shot about town; fine-pencil line drawings depicting feminine pulchritude, whether it be a beautiful face or a shapely upper torso bedecked with an eye-catching pendant; strip cartoons from a real blog, in progress daily since 2005, describing the happenings of a fictitious family living in suburban Tokyo; and more.
We eagerly invite you to join us to find out who will grab this year’s Grand Prix – a rising star on the graphic horizon sure to garner much attention in the years to come.
The 6 Finalists
*At the open round of final judging on August 30, Hikari Daimon was selected as the Grand Prix winner.
Natsuko Oshima
Born in 1984.
“TOKYO SALARYMAN STAMP”
Wearing leather shoes with black suits,
slouching with their bellies slightly protruding.
Though they look nearly identical, each is unique.
These busy office workers are rendered as stamps.
Mirin Shishido
Born in 1986.Graduated from Musashino Art University, College of Art and Design, Department of Painting.
“shirts”
Wearing a bright white blouse, heading to work on the Yamanote Line,
my boss said it would be good to make a to-do list.
Fabric softener Bleach
That was the memo sitting on my desk when I returned.
＊Grand Prize Winner＊
Hikari Daimon
Born in 1987.Currently studying Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Film and New Media.
“Genga”
When I hold a pen, a scene always comes to mind.
I drew such a scene
and titled it “Genga.”
Kazuki Takakura
Graduated from Tokyo Zokei University’s Graduate School of Design and Fine Arts.
““Bug” the world”
I generally make 2D art on the computer.
I plan on making films.
This is summoned through the print.
That is the image.
Yutaka Nakagaki
Born in 1977.
“comic strip: “The Machida Family two, and three, days from now.””
Now quietly attracting attention in Machida, Tokyo
Blog updated daily! Four-panel manga
“Machidaya, tomorrow, and the days after”
Coming to Ginza soon! Incredible! A masterpiece, no doubt!
Yuzuko Nakamura
Born in 1982.
“quiet world”
Floating things
Rooted things
Thoughts springing up from somewhere
The urge to jump
With these thoughts in mind, a refreshing breeze blows across the screen
Mirin Shishido
Born in Fukushima 1986. 2009 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Painting.
Awards:
2012 finalist for the 7th graphic, “1_WALL” competition.
Born in Tokyo in 1987. Since 2012 she has been creating graphics depicting herself. In summer 2012 s...
Kazuki Takakura
(illustrator/artist/game creator)
A finalist in the 7th “1_WALL” Graphics Competition, Takakura creates illustrations and videos based on pixel art and digital expression, for use in conjunction with music, commercial films, books, the web, etc. He performs art direction for the HANCHU-YUEI theater troupe, and he delved into script writing for the first time for that group’s “Space Adventure 6D.” On a non-commissioned basis he creates works using prints, lenticular sheets, etc. He planned and organized the “Pixel Art” group exhibition at pixiv Zingaro. Since 2016, he began game development under the name Studio TOKOYO, where he is currently developing “Maniyugi TOKOYO.”
Yutaka Nakagaki
Born in 1977. lives in Machida, Tokyo.
Judges (in Japanese syllabary order)
Koji Iyama（Art director, Graphic designer）
Art director and graphic designer born in 1967. Graduated from Tama Art University with a concentration in Graphic Design. After working at Nippon Design Center, he established Iyama Design. His major clients include Shueisha Inc. (“Natsu Ichi”), Kamoi Kakoshi Co., Ltd. (“mt”) and The Institute of Medical Science of The University of Tokyo. Among the many awards he has won to date are the JAGDA New Designer Award, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Gold Lion, SPIKES ASIA Grand Prix, New York ADC Gold Award, CLIO Gold Award and Japan Sign Design Association (SDA) Award First Prize.
Ichio Otsuka（Illustrator, Art director）
Illustrator and art director born in Niigata Prefecture in 1968. In addition to numerous illustrations created for books, advertising and music-related works, he is art director of “Miitsuketa!,” an educational TV program on NHK. He has published a collection of his works: illustration book, ICHIO Otsuka’s MAGIC! With film director Hirokazu Koreeda he has co-authored the picture book Kuna.
Masahiro Kakinokihara（Art director）
Masahiro Kakinokihara was born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1970. He joined DRAFT in 1996, and established 10 inc. in 2007. To date he has won a JAGDA New Designer Award, Tokyo ADC Award, One Show Silver Pencil Award and a New York ADC Silver Award. Among his most renowned works are: branding for “Singing AEON”; VI and branding for R.O.U.; “The Smile in Japanese Art” (exhibition at Mori Art Museum); corporate identity for Shizuoka City Museum of Art; and design work for Fuji Chuo Kindergarten and Rocca. Mr. Kakinokihara is a member of JAGDA and Tokyo ADC.
Atsuki Kikuchi（Graphic designer）
Born in Tokyo in 1974. He attended Musashino Art University, majoring in Sculpture. In 2000 he established Bluemark, and then in 2011 he founded his own design studio. His work areas include brand planning, logo design, signage planning, editorial design, etc., with a strong focus on art, fashion and architecture. He is also the principal of Book Peak, planners and publishers of art books.
Jun Tsuzuki（Illustrator）
Illustrator born in Tokyo in 1962. A graduate of Musashino Art University, between the 1980s and into the new millennium he garnered numerous awards in graphics competitions and for his contributions to advertising. In 2010 he mounted the exhibition “New Eidos,” followed in 2013 by “Jun Tsuzuki x Hideki Nakazawa.” In 2015 he held a lecture on “After New Eidos / An Investigation of 1980-2000.” He supervised and contributed to “Nihon Irasutore-shonshi” [A History of Japanese Illustration]. He also supervises and appears on NHK’s “Art 1” program for high school students.jti.ne.jp
Organizer: Guardian Garden
