The 17th “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 October 5 (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, and the judges will then discuss the relative merits of the six contenders’ works and select the Grand Prize winner. The winner’s prize includes the privilege of holding a solo show at the gallery one year later, 100,000 yen to prepare for the show, plus the right to prepare an exhibition pamphlet.
As always, this latest in the series of “1_WALL” Graphics Exhibitions brings together six diverse up-and-coming young designers. Honda Ayano draws illustrations and manga on the theme of a strange world. Nodoka Kamihiro creates figures evolving out of edibles. Haruna Kawai depicts configurations of simple objects on clear film. Natsumi Namiki draws scenes she sees while strolling about, using the techniques of Japanese painting. Yuu Yamamoto will show bingo cards of his unique imagination. And Yunbomu will exhibit drawings of his own room.
Honda Ayano
Born in 1985. Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts’s Graduate School of Arts, with a concentration in Sculpture.
“Hello!! The World”
I drew illustrations of a weird world. As I gazed at them, a story came to mind, so I made it into a manga. I hope that people will look at my illustrations and manga and take satisfaction from this strange world.
Nodoka Kamihiro
Born in 1988. Graduated from the Illustration Course of Kyoto Seika University’s Faculty of Design.
“I want to eat you”
So cute, I could eat it. So lovable, I want to eat it.
I want to create an infinite number of charming and delicious beings that make you want to devour them.
photo by Aya Suzuki
Haruna Kawai
Born in 1992.
“object”
An object constructed of simple forms.
Drawn on clear film, it’s neither product nor sculpture, but something in between. Or a completely new work of modeling.
Natsumi Namiki
Born in 1991. Graduated from Tama Art University’s Faculty of Art and Design, majoring in Japanese Painting.
“Fence”
I draw what I see. I want to reduce restrictions on my perspective, select the pretty parts, and get close to what I experience when I see a picture or scene.
Yuu Yamamoto
Born in 1988.
“Code Bingo”
Put it between slices of bread Remove the seal Turn on the air-conditioner Hey, your fly is open Drink soup Save up points Answer email Go peel me a banana Put it in my pocket Squeeze a sponge
Yunbomu
Born in 1993.
“Park Hatagaya 209”
Even when I return to a place I can call home, I feel uncomfortable. I draw the relationship between my room and my dull and uninteresting self floating in it.
Born in 1988. Graduated from the Illustration Course of Kyoto Seika University’s Faculty of Design.
Born in 1991. Graduated from Tama Art University’s Faculty of Art and Design, majoring in Japanese P...
Judges (in Japanese syllabary order)
Eriko Kawakami（Art director）
Art director born in Tokyo in 1982. She graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Design, in 2006, and in 2008 she joined Draft Co., Ltd. She went freelance in 2018. Her major work to date includes: “RURU MARY’S” for Mary Chocolate Co.; branding for Marumatsu Tea Co.’s “san grams” tea; graphics for Pocchiri, specialists in coin purses; and the in-house product maker “D-BROS.” She has won a JAGDA Award, Tokyo ADC Award and JAGDA New Designer Award.
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.
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.
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
