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Nozomi Tanaka “Mono-Okuri”
Art Front Gallery
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Artists
Nozomi Tanaka
After the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear crisis, the Tohoku-based artist Nozomi Tanaka made the traditions of the region and its relationship to the world a bigger theme in her work.
This is Tanaka’s first major solo show since receiving the 2014 Voca Grand Prize at the esteemed annual group painting show.
Taking residence in various places in Tohoku, Tanaka listens to local legends told by the elderly, investigates the area’s terrain, and incorporates these discoveries as motifs in her work. For instance, the rabbit has had symbolic significance around the world for millennia. In Tanaka’s painting depicting a rabbit reflected in the moon, the moon is also a symbol, evoking waxing and waning, the change of seasons, and life and death.
This year Tanaka stayed in Kamikoani village of Akita Prefecture as an artist-in-residence. The painting “Ani,” which takes its title from this place, is based on mountain life and on traditional performance. As many local rituals involve prayer for better weather for crops, this work also focuses on “meals” related to the climate or weather. Closer inspection reveals rabbits measuring the dimensions of their land. This scene is associated with the “Kenchi,” or property inspection carried out all over the country in the sixteenth century. Heavy taxes imposed regardless of actual situations are considered one of the reasons for the famous Famine of Tempo (1833-1837). Other symbolic scenes in Tanaka’s paintings can be detected and appreciated when viewed in detail. Art Front Gallery will also be introducing Tanaka’s interpretations of her work on the gallery webpage during the exhibition period.
Taking residence in various places in Tohoku, Tanaka listens to local legends told by the elderly, investigates the area’s terrain, and incorporates these discoveries as motifs in her work. For instance, the rabbit has had symbolic significance around the world for millennia. In Tanaka’s painting depicting a rabbit reflected in the moon, the moon is also a symbol, evoking waxing and waning, the change of seasons, and life and death.
This year Tanaka stayed in Kamikoani village of Akita Prefecture as an artist-in-residence. The painting “Ani,” which takes its title from this place, is based on mountain life and on traditional performance. As many local rituals involve prayer for better weather for crops, this work also focuses on “meals” related to the climate or weather. Closer inspection reveals rabbits measuring the dimensions of their land. This scene is associated with the “Kenchi,” or property inspection carried out all over the country in the sixteenth century. Heavy taxes imposed regardless of actual situations are considered one of the reasons for the famous Famine of Tempo (1833-1837). Other symbolic scenes in Tanaka’s paintings can be detected and appreciated when viewed in detail. Art Front Gallery will also be introducing Tanaka’s interpretations of her work on the gallery webpage during the exhibition period.
Schedule | Oct 10 (Fri) 2014-Oct 26 (Sun) 2014 Opening Hours Information
Opening Reception Oct 10 (Fri) 2014 18:00 - 20:00 | ||||
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| Fee | Free | ||||
| Venue | Art Front Gallery http://www.artfrontgallery.com/  | ||||
| Location | Hillside Terrace A, 29-18 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0033 | ||||
| Access | 3 minute walk from Daikanyama Station on the Tokyu Toyoko line, 11 minute walk from the West exit of Ebisu Station on the JR Yamanote and Saikyo lines, 8 minute walk from exit 4 at Ebisu Station on the Hibiya line. | ||||
| Phone | 03-3476-4869 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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