Exhibition/event has ended.
Masuo Ikeda and the Democrat Artists
The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama
Finished
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Artists
Masuo Ikeda, Tadashi Kato, Q Ei, Hideo Yoshihara, Shigeru Izumi, Ay-O et al.
A quarter of a century has passed since Masuo Ikeda passed away in 1997. It is significant to reexamine today how much his prints are appreciated around the world and how passionately he pursued his career as an artist.
Ikeda was born in Mukden, Manchuria in 1934, and moved back to Nagano with his parents when the war ended. After graduating from high school, he moved to Tokyo with the intention of becoming a painter. However, he failed the entrance exam to the Tokyo University of the Arts three times. It was during this time that he met Ay-O in 1955, and through Ay-O he came to know Q Ei, and the art critic Teijiro Kubo.
Q Ei had formed the "Society of Democrat Artists" in Osaka in 1951. The only condition for participation in the association was to "not exhibit in established art circles," and artists seeking freedom gathered there, expanding their activities to bases in Osaka and Tokyo. They focused on producing prints that could be seen by a large number of people. Ikeda, who was recommended to print by Q Ei, joined as one of the youngest members of the Democrat group, and continued to communicate with Shigeru Izumi and Hideo Yoshihara based in Kansai, Ay-O and Tadashi Kato in Tokyo, and with Kubo's support, he devoted himself to the production of copperplate prints.
After the war, Japan, which had regained its national strength, organized the Tokyo International Print Biennial Exhibition as the first international contemporary art exhibition and held the first exhibition in 1957. Democrat artists actively participated in the exhibition, and Izumi was awarded the Newcomer's Encouragement Prize. However, with the emergence of prize-winning and honorable mention winners from the Democrat group, Q Ei decided to dissolve the group.
Ikeda and other young painters continued to produce prints, recognizing the potential of prints, and Ikeda's works in particular came into the limelight, winning numerous awards, including the International Grand Prize at the Venice Biennale, and holding solo exhibitions in countries around the world.
This exhibition will introduce works by Ikeda Masuo from the 1950s to 1966, as well as works by artists who were his influences and friends, looking back on the Japanese prints that dominated the world at the time.
[Events]
1. Lecture "My Beginning of Printmaking" by Yoko Yamamoto (copperplate artist)
Date: February 4 (Sat), from 14:00
Venue: 2F Hall
Admission: Free
Capacity: 60 people on a first-come basis
2. Floor Lecture by Curator
Date: February 12 (Sun), March 18 (Sat) from 14:00
Venue: 2F Exhibition Room (ticket required)
Please check the official website for event details and application procedures.
Ikeda was born in Mukden, Manchuria in 1934, and moved back to Nagano with his parents when the war ended. After graduating from high school, he moved to Tokyo with the intention of becoming a painter. However, he failed the entrance exam to the Tokyo University of the Arts three times. It was during this time that he met Ay-O in 1955, and through Ay-O he came to know Q Ei, and the art critic Teijiro Kubo.
Q Ei had formed the "Society of Democrat Artists" in Osaka in 1951. The only condition for participation in the association was to "not exhibit in established art circles," and artists seeking freedom gathered there, expanding their activities to bases in Osaka and Tokyo. They focused on producing prints that could be seen by a large number of people. Ikeda, who was recommended to print by Q Ei, joined as one of the youngest members of the Democrat group, and continued to communicate with Shigeru Izumi and Hideo Yoshihara based in Kansai, Ay-O and Tadashi Kato in Tokyo, and with Kubo's support, he devoted himself to the production of copperplate prints.
After the war, Japan, which had regained its national strength, organized the Tokyo International Print Biennial Exhibition as the first international contemporary art exhibition and held the first exhibition in 1957. Democrat artists actively participated in the exhibition, and Izumi was awarded the Newcomer's Encouragement Prize. However, with the emergence of prize-winning and honorable mention winners from the Democrat group, Q Ei decided to dissolve the group.
Ikeda and other young painters continued to produce prints, recognizing the potential of prints, and Ikeda's works in particular came into the limelight, winning numerous awards, including the International Grand Prize at the Venice Biennale, and holding solo exhibitions in countries around the world.
This exhibition will introduce works by Ikeda Masuo from the 1950s to 1966, as well as works by artists who were his influences and friends, looking back on the Japanese prints that dominated the world at the time.
[Events]
1. Lecture "My Beginning of Printmaking" by Yoko Yamamoto (copperplate artist)
Date: February 4 (Sat), from 14:00
Venue: 2F Hall
Admission: Free
Capacity: 60 people on a first-come basis
2. Floor Lecture by Curator
Date: February 12 (Sun), March 18 (Sat) from 14:00
Venue: 2F Exhibition Room (ticket required)
Please check the official website for event details and application procedures.
Schedule | Feb 4 (Sat) 2023-Apr 9 (Sun) 2023 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥800; University Students ¥500; High School Students and Under, Seniors 65 & Over free. | ||||
| Website | https://www.momaw.jp/exhibit/2022_ikedamasuo/ | ||||
| Venue | The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama https://www.momaw.jp/language/english/ | ||||
| Location | 1-4-14 Fukiage Wakayama-shi, Wakayama 640-8137 | ||||
| Access | From Wakayamashi Station on the Nankai line, take the bus and get off at Kencho-mae. The venue is 3 minute walk from there. From the Central exit of Wakayama Station on the Hanwa or JR Kisei Main line, take the bus and get off at Kenchomae. The venue is 3 minute walk from there. | ||||
| Phone | 073-436-8690 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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