Jean-Michel Folon (1934-2005) is one of the most prominent Belgian artists of the late 20th century. As a young man, he was captivated by a mural by Magritte that he encountered by chance, drawing him into the world of painting. In 1955, he moved to the suburbs of Paris, where he spent his days creating drawings. Although he struggled to gain recognition in France, he garnered attention from major American magazines such as The New Yorker and Time, and by the early 1960s, his work was featured on their covers. He later received high acclaim internationally, with solo exhibitions held in art museums around the world.
Folon's works, characterized by their vibrant colors and poetic quality, may initially appear beautiful and refreshing, but they also conceal powerful critiques of harsh realities such as environmental destruction and human rights issues. Additionally, themes of loneliness and anxiety run like an undercurrent through his art.
This exhibition is a major retrospective, the first in Japan in 30 years, showcasing around 230 pieces ranging from early drawings to watercolors, prints, posters, and late three-dimensional works. In a modern era marked by significant social upheavals, such as digitalization, pandemics, and wars, we are revisiting Folon's art, which has consistently maintained a high awareness of environmental and freedom issues and has quietly protested against oppression, violence, and discrimination.
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