Hirokazu Nakamura "Souvenirs"
Shimokitazawa Arts
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Hirokazu Nakamura
Shimokitazawa Arts is pleased to present “Souvenirs”, a solo exhibition by Nakamura Hirokazu. Born in Chiba, Japan in 1999, Nakamura graduated from the Oil Painting Department of Musashino Art University in 2024 and is currently enrolled in the Oil Painting Techniques and Materials Laboratory at the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. In 2025, he was awarded the Grand Prize—the Taro Okamoto Award—at the 28th Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art, gaining significant attention as an emerging young artist.
Nakamura’s practice began during his preparatory school years, when he discovered that the color of sand varies from place to place. Since then, he has incorporated sand collected from beaches across Japan into his paint, creating works that make full use of its natural color and texture. Over the course of four years, he traversed the Bōsō coastline—from Chōshi City to Sanbanze in Funabashi City—collecting sand every ten steps using adhesive tape. The resulting work, “Scenic Views of the Bōsō Peninsula / Chiba Coastline Sand Journey,” earned him the Taro Okamoto Award at the 28th edition of the prize. The surface of the work reflects not only the physical journey but also Nakamura’s encounters with the history and culture of Chiba, interwoven with art historical references. It conveys both a pure curiosity for the interesting and a deep affection for his home prefecture.
Since then, Nakamura has continued to travel throughout Japan, including regions such as Sanyō and Osaka, depicting the landscapes, cultures, histories, and souvenirs he encounters. Using locally sourced sand as a gesture of respect to each place, he transforms these experiences into paintings. In addition, he incorporates cherished items from his personal collection—such as vintage toys, dolls, and ammonite fossils—imbuing them with a sense of attachment and care. Driven by a desire to share what he finds fascinating and to delight his audience, Nakamura’s work embodies both a generous spirit and a subtle sense of irony. We invite you to take your time exploring the rich and intricate world of his practice in this exhibition.
Nakamura’s practice began during his preparatory school years, when he discovered that the color of sand varies from place to place. Since then, he has incorporated sand collected from beaches across Japan into his paint, creating works that make full use of its natural color and texture. Over the course of four years, he traversed the Bōsō coastline—from Chōshi City to Sanbanze in Funabashi City—collecting sand every ten steps using adhesive tape. The resulting work, “Scenic Views of the Bōsō Peninsula / Chiba Coastline Sand Journey,” earned him the Taro Okamoto Award at the 28th edition of the prize. The surface of the work reflects not only the physical journey but also Nakamura’s encounters with the history and culture of Chiba, interwoven with art historical references. It conveys both a pure curiosity for the interesting and a deep affection for his home prefecture.
Since then, Nakamura has continued to travel throughout Japan, including regions such as Sanyō and Osaka, depicting the landscapes, cultures, histories, and souvenirs he encounters. Using locally sourced sand as a gesture of respect to each place, he transforms these experiences into paintings. In addition, he incorporates cherished items from his personal collection—such as vintage toys, dolls, and ammonite fossils—imbuing them with a sense of attachment and care. Driven by a desire to share what he finds fascinating and to delight his audience, Nakamura’s work embodies both a generous spirit and a subtle sense of irony. We invite you to take your time exploring the rich and intricate world of his practice in this exhibition.
Schedule Now in session | Apr 18 (Sat) 2026-May 4 (Mon) 2026 2 days left Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Free | ||||
| Website | https://shimokitazawaarts.tokyo/en/nakamurahirokazu_souvenirs_en/ | ||||
| Venue | Shimokitazawa Arts https://shimokitazawaarts.tokyo/en/home-english/ | ||||
| Location | 1F, 1-40-9 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031 | ||||
| Access | 4 minute walk from the East exit of Shimokitazawa Station on the Odakyu Odawara or Keio Inokashira line. | ||||
| Phone | 03-6804-7636 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it    |
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