ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH 2012

SMART SHIP Tokyo - The Japanese heart

SMART SHIP introduces the works of artists from both at home and abroad under the basic concept of conveying the dignity of identity that people of today must establish as individuals through contemporary art.
SMART SHIP serves as a boat that links Japan and the other countries of the world through trade, art, and life. Smart Ship was founded as an art trade ship for the purpose of promoting cultural/social creativity with a living intellect and sensitivities.

Artists

SMART SHIP artist selection - Ten Japanese artists' new work private exhibition
The Japanese heart - The work on the themes of Japanese nature, climate, and culture which should be inherited to the next generation.

• Aoko Mitani / Japanese style painting
• Noriko Takaoka / Photograph
• Michiko Ohwada / Oil painting
• Kashin / Calligraphy Art
• Nakako Nakagawa / Oil painting
• Sumiko Mizuno / Oil painting
• Suikou Sakurai / India ink painting
• Yoko Kosaka / Oil painting
• Yoko Haruka / Oil painting
• Yuko Akiya / Craft Art

Featured Artists

Yuko Akiya, Sapporo, Hokkaido - Craft Art

Familiar with Ikebana, artificial flowers, and preserved flowers, the artist seeks after a unique world view based on the concept of displaying flowers as art to provide "an oasis to slake the thirst in people's hearts.”

• MEMBERSHIP
  Honorary professor of the Ohara School of the way of the flower (kado)
  Honorary professor the the Ogasawara School of the way of the flower (Kado)
  EPJ Fresh and preserved flower instructor
• SOLO EXHIBITIONS
  2009  PROMO-ARTE (Tokyo)
• AWARDS
  2011  1st Aritificial Flower Grand Prix 2011

Nakako Nakagawa, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture - Oil paintings

• MEMBERSHIP
  Major exhibition (Shutai-Ten) member
• SOLO EXHIBITIONS
  2012  Kinokuniya Gallery (Tokyo)
  2002  Kinokuniya Gallery (Tokyo)
• AWARDS
  1968 - 2011  Major Exhibition (Shutai-Ten)
  1993  Ministry of Culture Contemporary Art Invitational Exhibition
  2002  Ministry of Culture Contemporary Art Invitational Exhibition

Aoko Mitani, Kyoto City - Japanese painting

• EDUCATION
  1994  Professor of Women's Arts University Graduate School
  1987  Professor of Women's Arts University
  1952  Joined Shoko-Sha, Suisho Nishiyama and his private school of painting
  1949  Graduated from Kyoto Municipal Arts Specialty School
• MEMBERSHIP
  Nitten (participator)
  Honorary professor of Women's Arts University
• SOLO EXHIBITIONS
  1995  Tokyo International Art Museum (Tokyo)
  1998  Ginza Matsuya Department Store (Tokyo)
  1982  Kyoto Asahi Gallery (Kyoto)
  1961  Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store (Tokyo)
• AWARDS
  1948 - 2011  Exhibited works in Nitten Exhibition
  1988  Prime Minister's Nitten Award
  1980  Exhibited works in the Contemporary Women's Art Exhibition
  1981  Exhibited works in the Contemporary Women's Exhibition
  1959  Chuo-Ko New Faces Exhibition
  1955  Exhibited works in the Asahi Newspaper New Faces Exhibition

Gallery Mission Statement

The role of SMART SHIP is embodied in the following aims:

• Sending out to the world cutting-edge Japanese artists with rich individuality.
• Sending out to the world traditional Japanese techniques and expression.
• Actively introducing to Japan art works that are overflowing with originality from overseas that are not yet know in Japan.

We consider Smart to mean promotion of creative thought. Keeping constantly in mind the way that art should be involved with society, we handle the art works of and live in the same generation as our artists.
Contemporary art needs concepts, originality, spirituality, refined technique, and message elements. In the creating of art works, a great influence is exerted by the demands of the times and the social background. But in all ages, art is something that is created by human beings, and at the same time, the significance of art lies in unique human expression that can only be created by human beings.
We believe that the strength of interest in and demands on art lies in basic humanity that longs to grasp something that more fully enhances the self and fulfils life. We will continue to assist artists who constantly continue to enhance the spirit with a global viewpoint, who participate in the flow to following generations, and who express the spirit of the times.

Source / Copyright - Texts and images: SMART SHIP Co. Ltd., Tokyo / Japan