The 14th “1_WALL” Graphics Exhibition is part of an open competition for the right to mount a solo show at Guardian Garden. The exhibition will feature works by six finalists after two rounds of judging: the first round focusing on all entrants’ portfolios, and the second round consisting of one-on-one discussions between the graphic designers selected in the initial round and the judges. For this group exhibition, each finalist is allocated one wall on which to show his or her works.
The final round of judging will take place on April 1 (Fri), 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, and the judges will then discuss the relative merits of the six contenders’ works and select the Grand Prize winner. The winner’s prize is the privilege of holding a solo show at the gallery one year later, together with the right to prepare an exhibition pamphlet.
As always, this latest in the series of “1_WALL Graphics Exhibitions” brings together a highly diverse array of modes of artistic expression. Ayaka Sanuki, uses simplified line drawings to make us think about the shapes of things and our recognition of them. Kohei Sekigawa takes non-existing motifs and treats them realistically as if they existed. Momoe Narazaki injects her interpretations of social issues into brilliantly colored illustrations. millitsuka, in unique spaces, expresses realms she imagines in her daily walks. Yume Yamakawa uses characteristic textures to depict young girls and animals in a utopia all her own. Fukiko Yoshida employs velvet-smooth giant reliefs and paintings to produce ideal young men.
Ayaka Sanuki
Born in 1993. Currently in the Master Course at Kyoto University of Art & Design.
“Dakkyu & Takkyu: Dislocation & Table Tennis”
I’m interested in how when cloth flutters, you no longer can tell what the pattern is, or how it can suddenly lose shape and defy recognition of what it is.
Kohei Sekigawa
Born in 1990.
“Figure”
I draw as if compelled to do so by the concreteness of motifs that don’t actually exist. When everything goes right, there are times when what’s interesting about the drawing moderately distances itself from me.
Momoe Narazaki
Born in 1991. Graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Graphic Design.
“Dear Someone in Capital Letters”
The world of “symbols” that function in line with social concepts, and the world of “imagination” seen through me myself. When I stand between the two and gaze upon them, many different things come into view.
millitsuka
Born in 1991. Graduated from Musashino Art University with a degree in Visual Communication Design.
“Ideal Environment”
My soft and shapeless life is surrounded by a cramped studio apartment. Whether walking outside or sitting inside, I see the scope of my life.
Yume Yamakawa
Born in 1993. Fourth year student in the Faculty of Design, Department of Visual Design, at Kyoto Seika University.
“NOWHERE and SOMEWHERE”
Hateful things, I pretend not to see! Enjoyable things, I fill my head with them! I love all my cute friends!
Fukiko Yoshida
Born in 1988. Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts Graduate School.
“Mr. Snowdrop”
The heroes that appear in the girls’ comics I was infatuated with when I was little are like handsome princes coming to my rescue on a white horse. But since none have come to get me, I decided to make them: “ideal young men” all my own.
Ayaka Sanuki
Born in 1993. Currently in the Master Course at Kyoto University of Art & Design.
Multi-talented artist born in 1990. Applying a wide variety of approaches – including performance, i...
Born in 1991. Graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Graphic Design.
Graduated from Musashino Art University with a degree in Visual Communication Design.
Yume Yamakawa
Born in 1993. Fourth year student in the Faculty of Design, Department of Visual Design, at Kyoto Seika University.
Born in 1988. Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts Graduate School.
Judges (in Japanese syllabary order)
Daijiro Ohara（Graphic designer）
Graphic designer born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1978. In 2003, upon graduating from Musashino Art University with a concentration in Basic Design, he established omomma. In addition to undertaking design work and video production, through exhibitions, workshops, performance, etc. he undertakes numerous projects probing new perceptions in language and the written word. In 2014 he won a JAGDA New Designer Award and Tokyo TDC Award. http://omomma.in/ (Japanese only)
Yutanpo Shirane（Illustrator）
Born in Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture, in 1968. He creates a wide array of illustrations for magazines, advertising and other print media, web contents, etc. Among his most recent works are cover illustrations for BRUTUS, visuals for GU sales campaigns, and illustrations for radiko’s “Oto-genic” campaign. In addition to his commercial work, he has created a collection of his noncommissioned works, mounted solo exhibitions, and participated in many group exhibitions.
Dainippon Type Organization An experimental typography group formed in 1993 by Hidechika – the one with a beard but no surname – and Tetsuya Tsukada – the one with a surname but no beard. For 25 years now, they have been playing with writing systems, probing new concepts through their experiments in disarticulating, combining and reconfiguring the written word.
Kuniko Nagasaki（Illustrator）
Illustrator born in Tokyo in 1970. After graduating from Tama Art University, where she majored in Textile Design, she became active in diverse areas including: as an illustrator, providing cover art and illustrations for books; writing essays relating to the cinema; and creating manga. She also serves as Associate Professor in the Visual Design program of Joshibi University of Art and Design.
Kiyonori Muroga（Editor）
Kiyonori Muroga was born in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, in 1975. Since 1999 he has performed editorial work mainly in planning related to graphic design, typography and visual culture. He also is engaged, internationally, in critique, lecturing and exhibition planning concerning those genres. Mr. Muroga formerly served as editor-in-chief of “IDEA” magazine. In recent years, he has been in charge of books such as The Next Form of Lettering Designs in Japan and Noritake’s WORKS. He is editor-in-chief of JAGDA’s “The Graphic Design Review” website.
Organizer: Guardian Garden
