The 25th “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 five 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 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. This will be the last “1_WALL” competition in the graphics category.
The exhibition will feature works by five 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 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.
Live streaming of the final round of judging will take place while the exhibition is in progress. During this round, which is open to the public, the five finalists will give presentations of their works, and the judges will then discuss the relative merits of the five 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, plus 300,000 yen to prepare for the show.
This latest in the series of group exhibitions brings together five diverse up-and-coming designers. Kota Ikeda delves into the depths of emotions aroused by everyday scenes, depicting snow from dyed cloth, collages and the like. Zhao Wenxin created a video capturing real, private moments recorded by security camera. Tatsuru Hatayama, using acrylic paints, spray, charcoal and aluminum tape, has produced a work brimming with vitality. Chu Liangwen paints based on a motherly relationship, using fruit to describe connections with others/society. Kanako Hiramatsu creates installations using glue, acrylic paints and pencil, as a way of deepening the relationship between the painting and its viewer.
Kota Ikeda
Born in 1995. Graduated from Tohoku University of Art & Design with a degree in Fine Arts.
“Snow”
I depicted a scene along the 600 meters between my home and my workplace. The sound of the endlessly flowing river; thoughts of what we talked about today. Cherishing this moment in time as I trod slowly through the snow.
Zhao Wenxin
Born in 1996. Currently studying Design in the Graduate School of Art and Design of Tama Art University.
“Void Space”
To capture and record humans in the most natural and realistic way, I used the perspective of a security camera. Many people don’t notice its existence, but the person reflected there is a strange but familiar presence.
Tatsuru Hatayama
Born in 2001. Currently studying Oil Painting in the Faculty of Art and Design of Tama Art University.
“My angel is dead.”
What we do every moment while we are alive is the trajectory of life that someday fleetingly vanishes. The act of depicting captures momentary emotions, and is also communication linking the inner self with external society.
Chu Liangwen
Born in 1996. Completed the Masters Course in Oil Painting at Tokyo University of the Arts.
“Our House Hour”
With feelings toward my mother as the undercurrent, I created a still-life using fruit to depict myself vis-à-vis others or society as a whole today. I work with various methods: paintings, three-dimensional works, installations, etc.
Kanako Hiramatsu
Born in 1997. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts majoring in Painting. Currently serving as an assistant researcher in the university’s Oil Painting Course.
“Ant and Bird, Carriable Water Puddle”
All phenomena are different; they are generated new in every case. The same holds true of a painting: when it is exhibited, it creates a situation in which a transformation occurs with the observer.
Born in 1995.
Graduated from Tohoku University of Art & Design with a degree in Fine Arts.
Born in 1996.
Currently studying Design in the Graduate School of Art and Design of Tama Art Univers...
Born in 2001.
Currently studying Oil Painting in the Faculty of Art and Design of Tama Art Universit...
Born in 1996.
Completed the Masters Course in Oil Painting at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Born in 1997.
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts majoring in Painting. Currently serving as...
Judges (in Japanese syllabary order)
Yuri Uenishi（Art Director／Graphic designer）
Art director and graphic designer Yuri Uenishi was born in Tokyo in 1987. In 2010, on graduating from Tama Art University with a concentration in Graphic Design, she joined Dentsu. Independence in 2021. Her works to date include the “World Table Tennis Championships 2015” poster (TV Tokyo) and Laforet Grand Bazar 2019 summer. Her hobbies are travel and mountain climbing in winter. She has visited 42 countries so far.
Ryoji Tanaka（Web Designer）
Web designer Ryoji Tanaka was born in Mie Prefecture in 1975. He founded Semitransparent Design in 2003. His major activities include planning of the exhibitions “tFont/fTime” at YCAM and “Illuminating Graphics 1 and 2” at Creation Gallery G8, as well as holding Semitransparent Design’s “Boring/Bored” exhibition at ggg.
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.
Kazunari Hattori（Graphic designer）
Graphic designer Kazunari Hattori was born in Tokyo in 1964. After graduating from the Department of Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, he initially worked for Light Publicity before going freelance. His major works include art direction of the magazines “Ryuko Tsushin,” “here and there” and “Mayonaka”; and, for Hermès Japon, art direction of “Hermès Bespoke Objects” and “L’atelier petit h.” He also performed VI planning for the Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art.
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
