Works
Statement
Ikumi Nagasawa feels all the little things and concepts, often obscure, which are part of our daily life. In her works, she tries to give them a concrete and tangible form.
She also tries to express feelings such as anxiety and worry, feelings often mixed with hope.
These opposite feelings, when together, create a peculiar and strange atmosphere that the artist express through the poker-face of her characters. Thus, in her works, the characters are the beholders of these hidden feelings and abstract concepts.
As said by Kenta Torimoto, Director of the gallery “Office339”, based in Shanghai : “Many of her works simply reflect human mind – determination which is shaken by anxiety, whenever one faces such a sense of emptiness and loneliness. However, that is also the same mind that catches positive attitude as the light at the end of tunnel.”
Personal History
Born in Tokyo in 1980.
Education
2013 Research student, Fine Arts College, Shanghai Normal University
2006 MA from the Department of Painting of the Graduate School of art and design of Joshibi University, Japan
2004 BA from the Department of Painting from Joshibi University of art and design (Excellence price received for her graduation painting), Japan
Solo Exhibitions
2013 I will hold you, Office339 gallery, Shanghai
2010 Flutter, The Foundry Gallery, Shanghai
I can fly, Tokyu, Tokyo
2009 I’ve got the key, NODA CONTEMPORARY, Nagoya
2008 I hear, v-gallery, Basel
I know you know it, The Foundry Gallery, Shanghai
2007 I wish I won’t get lost, Gallery Musashino, Tokyo
Incoming refusal, Gallery Seishou, Tokyo
Shelter, Gallery Ai, Tokyo
Group Exhibitions
2010 Face-Group Exhibition of Korean, Chinese, Japanese Contemporary Art, Korean Cultural Service in Shanghai
Haven’t you heard?, Contemporary by Angela Li, Hong Kong
Animamix Biennial, Moca (Shanghai), Today Art Museum (Beijing), Guangdong Museum of Art (Guangdong)
2009 Young Contemporary Artists Show, MATUZAKAYA, Nagoya
8888 Group Show, Andrew James Art, Shanghai
2008 If you’re happy, clap your hands, Andrew James Art, Shanghai
Art Here Now, Shonandai MY Gallery, Tokyo
2007 Switching Channels, OFFICE(R), Tokyo
SIGG+MOGRA, Omotesando Hills, Tokyo
Private, Refined Nest Gallery, Shanghai
2006 Present of December, Gallery Musashino, Tokyo
2005 Open the door, Gallery seira, Tokyo
JUFA, art space Hue, Seoul