Discover the rich spectrum of Japanese graphic arts in a daring show that crosses the boundaries of fine art, commercial illustration, and counterculture. Japan House London displays works of 60 Japanese artists, including pioneers of the late 20th century Tanaami Keiichi and Yumura Teruhiko, as well as a number of up-and-coming creators whose works are on display for the first time in the UK.
Pop art, surrealism, and illustration are among the graphic arts styles exhibited in the "WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts" exhibition. Heta-uma, which translates to "bad but good," is a term for work that, with closer examination, reveals more quality.
Heta-uma, which first appeared in the underground manga magazine GARO in the 1970s, questions our perceptions of what is "ugly" or "beautiful" and our ideas of what constitutes art.
WAVE features the bold, anarchic portrayals of girlhood by Jenny Kaori against the sombre, photorealistic photographs by Yukishita Mayu and the charming picture book illustrations by the husband-and-wife pair tupera tupera.
WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts, which was inspired by a yearly exhibition of the same name in Tokyo and was organised by the artists Hiro Sugiyama and Takahashi Kintar, offers a unique chance to see the variety of Japanese illustration and graphic arts in one location outside of Japan.
You can find the entire list of featured artists here.
📍 Visit Japan House London at 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA.
📅 WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts will be on display at Japan House London until October 22, 2023.
⏰ 10 am – 8 pm, Monday – Saturday; 12 pm-6 pm, Sunday.
🚇 The nearest London Underground stations are High Street Kensington (on the District and Circle Lines), Gloucester Road ( Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines) and Notting Hill Gate (Central, District, and Circle lines).
*All photos were taken by Ina/WithinLondon, unless stated otherwise.
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