Exhibition Overview
Kotaro Isobe solo exhibition
Curated by Yuki Ideguchi
A biotope is an area of uniform environmental conditions providing a living place for a specific assemblage of plants and animals. Kotaro Isobe who studied Nihonga (Japanese style painting) at the Tokyo University of the Arts and is good at delicate nature depiction through daily sketches and nature observations. From the early stages of his work, he emphasizes the nature observation by reproducing the biotope. He paints small creatures such as frogs, insects, and flowers that are overlooked in everyday life.
In the Meiji Era, Nihonga were influenced by Western paintings and developed from traditional Japanese paintings. Especially in the postwar Nihonga, expressions that blur the outline of the picture are mainstream. However, Isobe’s paintings are composed of beautiful lines and flat paintings. His decorative expression that reminds me of that Rinpa presents one aspect of Japanese beauty that modern Japanese paintings had forgotten.
In this exhibition, we are also focusing on Yo no Bi which means beauty should be found especially in the objects of everyday life. Since ancient times in Japan, paintings are painted on everyday items and have been enjoyed as part of their lives. In addition to an ordinary painting work, works drawn on everyday items such as garbage cans and fans are also exhibited.
Opening Event
The opening reception will happen on Wednesday, October 17 at RESOBOX Chelsea, at 5:30pm featuring a musical performance by Kenji Haba. This music event is curated by Masatora Goya.
Kenji Haba
http://www.kenjihaba.com
Kenji Haba is a guitarist who heralds a new direction for classical guitar through his insight and work with the coloration of sounds, as well as through bringing new formats to the landscape, including the innovative guitar-cello ensemble. He is also an active performer of contemporary music, with over 20 pieces of music written for and premiered by him, including works featured in classical guitar magazines in Japan as well as the US. He is well known for his interpretation of Toru Takemitsu, his performances having been described as an “ideal match for Takemitsu’s music” by Fanfare.
Guest Curator
Yuki Ideguchi (born 1986) is an artist and curator. He does not only produce art works but also curates several exhibitions and has expanded his world. He received both a BFA (2011) and MFA (2013) in Japanese Painting from Tokyo University of the Arts. In his work, he blends traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary imagery and themes.
Curation
2018 Evolving Traditions – Paintings of wonder from Japan, Japan Information and Culture Center, Washington DC, USA
2017 THE FICTIONAL SCENERY, RESOBOX LIC , NY, USA
2015 -Jecoration- Decorative Expressions of Japanese Art and Their Influences, J-collabo, Brooklyn, USA
2013 Exhibition of The Drawings, Minnano Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2012 The Drawing Exhibition “The View of Current and Old”, Tokyo University of the Arts Museum, Tokyo, Japan
Gallery
About the Artist
Kotaro Isobe
Artist
「Biotop(ビオトープ) : 生き物が棲息する場所」これが私の作品のテーマです。
人間の生活圏にも四季を通して数多くの小さな生き物が棲息しています。
花には虫が集まり、池や田んぼには蛙やトンボなど数多くの生き物が棲息しています。
私はこれらの小さな生き物や植物をモチーフに、日本画の古典的な技法で美しく魅力的に表現しています。
My works focus on the the theme: "Biotope : The places where creatures dwell."
We share the spaces in which we go about our lives with numerous small living things throughout the seasons. Like bugs which gather on flowers, or frogs and dragonflies moving about in lakes and rice patties, there are many creatures all around us.
I use the traditional techniques of Japanese style painting to show the charm and beauty of these small creatures and plants.
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1970 Born in Tokyo , Japan
Education
1997 Tokyo University of the Arts Attended and completed M.A.course Japanese paintings
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2018 RESOBOX Chelsea [YO No BI] / New York Chelsea
2017 tobi ART FAIR, Gallery Gunji booth / Tokyo Shimbashi
2015 MITSUKOSHI, Nihonbashi / Tokyo
2015 ITOCHU AOYAMA ART SQUARE / Aoyama, Tokyo
2015 Inokashira Park Zoo / Kichijoji, Tokyo
2014 Art Space Kin Gyo Koo Kan, Taipei, Taiwan, Aichi, Matsuyama
Selected Group Exhibitions
2013 "Art with the Motif of Insects," Takasaki Tower Museum, Takasaki, Japan
2012 "2:46 and Thereafter," Edison Place Gallery, Washington, D.C., USA
2012 "ART FAIR TOKYO 2012," Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, Japan
2011 "Círculos Traçados” Galeria Deco, Sao Paulo, Brazil