“The Second Stage at GG” is a series of exhibitions presenting more recent works by former finalists in the gallery’s open competitions launched to promote budding artists in various fields. The 49th exhibition in the series, titled “The Wisdom of You,” will feature the graphic works of Hana Akiyama.

Hana Akiyama was selected as a finalist in the 25th “Hitotsubo” Graphic Art Competition in 2005 for her posters—collages of hand-drawn pictures—imbued with a unique narrative quality. Since then, she has garnered attention and high acclaim through a variety of awards and exhibitions. Today, she is active as an illustrator primarily of books, magazines, CDs and advertising. In 2014 she received a New York ADC Silver Prize. Currently she regularly provides the illustrations for magazines such as “Kurashi no techo” and “tocotoco.”

Today Hana Akiyama continues her creative activities while raising a young son now two years old. In this exhibition she will be showing illustrations conveying the everyday questions that arise, the realizations made, and the joys and anxieties that have emerged from her experience raising a toddler. In her “reading” series newly created for this show, she portrays how we become acquainted with books, and how they draw us into their narrative realms. Her illustrations of a young boy, who gradually learns to think and understand without being taught, powerfully describe the creativity unique to children—always with a warm and gentle touch, but occasionally somehow magical or even cruel.

Akiyama will also be exhibiting animations drawn by hand featuring crows that change color as they fly from one place to another. Also on display will be works she was commissioned to create for clients such as Ryohin Keikaku, IDÉE and the magazine “Kurashi no techo.” Visitors are sure to enjoy seeing her many outstanding works of such remarkable variety.

Message from the Artist

Becoming a mother was a bit different from what I had imagined. I never thought the growth of a child could be so interesting, so fascinating, so curious, and so inspiring to me. Now there is a young boy, alive with so much energy, at my side as I create. And every day I watch and observe.

Under the influence of his enviable curiosity and youth, my zeal toward my work has increased all the more. So many questions cast my way, realizations made, anxiety, complexities, and his growing up at a ferocious pace.

One by one I slowly completed each illustration, constantly thinking, burdened with questions having no answers. I will be showing them together which works I made in the past.

Hana Akiyama