Shigeru Izumi in the 1950s, The Sun Also Rises

Itami City Museum of Art, History and Culture

Finished

Artists

Shigeru Izumi et al.

Shigeru Izumi (1922-1995) was born in Osaka and was a painter who led the post-war art trends in the Kansai region for nearly 50 years from the late 1940s. In 1951, he joined the Democratic Artists Association formed in Osaka, which marked the beginning of his career as an avant-garde artist, creating innovative works including Surrealism. Sensitively perceiving the rapid social changes after the war, Izumi constantly deepened and expanded his expressions. A unique sense of humor characterized Izumi's work, ranging from early lyrical prints to later refined abstract paintings.

Izumi continued to aspire to paint pictures that "give courage and confidence, or the joy and sadness of living." His aspiration was deeply intertwined with memories of the war, as he desperately lived while suppressing the hope of becoming a painter. The exhibition title, "The Sun Also Rises," symbolizes Izumi's activities in the 1950s, where he demonstrated a free spirit and trust in humanity amidst the crisis after the war. His creative journey, which continued to gaze at the self and society amidst the devastated post-war landscapes, offers many insights to us living in uncertain times.

This exhibition introduces about 100 works including those by Izumi, contemporary overseas art trends related to Izumi's creation, and works and materials from different fields of expression. This exhibition aims to unravel the feelings Izumi poured into his creations.

Schedule

Jun 14 (Fri) 2024-Jul 28 (Sun) 2024