Each country has its own heroes of contemporary art, whose names are well-known, whose exhibitions attract crowds of fans and curious people, and whose works are sold to private collections.
In this article we will introduce you to the most popular contemporary artists Japan.
Keiko Tanabe
Born in Kyoto, Keiko won many victories as a child. art competitions, But higher education I didn’t get it in the field of art at all. She worked in the international relations department of a Japanese municipal trade organization in Tokyo, a large law firm in San Francisco and a private consulting firm in San Diego, and traveled extensively. Starting in 2003, she left her job and, having studied the basics of watercolor painting in San Diego, devoted herself exclusively to art.
Ikenaga Yasunari
Japanese artist Ikenaga Yasunari paints portraits modern women in ancient Japanese tradition painting using a Menso brush, mineral pigments, carbon black, ink and linen as a base. Its characters are women of our time, but thanks to Nihonga's style, you get the feeling that they came to us from time immemorial.
Abe Toshiyuki
Abe Toshiyuki is a realist artist who has mastered watercolor technique. Abe can be called an artist-philosopher: he fundamentally does not paint well-known landmarks, preferring subjective compositions that reflect the internal states of the person who observes them.
Hiroko Sakai
The career of artist Hiroko Sakai began in the early 90s in the city of Fukuoka. After graduating from Seinan Gakuin University and the French Nihon School of Interior Design in design and visualization, she founded Atelier Yume-Tsumugi Ltd. and successfully managed this studio for 5 years. Many of her works decorate hospital lobbies, offices of large corporations and some municipal buildings in Japan. After moving to the United States, Hiroko began painting in oils.
Riusuke Fukahori
Riusuki Fukahori's three-dimensional works resemble holograms. They are done acrylic paint, applied in several layers, and a transparent resin liquid - all this, without excluding traditional methods such as drawing shadows, softening edges, controlling transparency, allows Riusuki to create sculptural paintings and gives the works depth and realism.
Natsuki Otani
Natsuki Ohtani is a talented Japanese illustrator living and working in England.
Makoto Muramatsu
Makoto Muramatsu chose a win-win theme as the basis for his creativity - he draws cats. His pictures are popular all over the world, especially in the form of puzzles.
Tetsuya Mishima
Most of the paintings by contemporary Japanese artist Mishima are done in oils. She has been painting professionally since the 90s, and has had several solo exhibitions and large number collective exhibitions, both Japanese and foreign.
Which covers many techniques and styles. Throughout its history, it has undergone a large number of changes. New traditions and genres were added, and the original Japanese principles remained. Along with amazing story Japanese painting is also ready to present many unique and interesting facts.
Ancient Japan
The first styles appear in the most ancient historical period countries, even BC. e. Then art was quite primitive. First, in 300 BC. e., various geometric shapes, which were performed on pottery using sticks. Such a discovery by archaeologists as ornamentation on bronze bells dates back to a later time.
A little later, already in 300 AD. e., appear rock paintings, which are much more diverse than geometric patterns. These are already full-fledged images with images. They were found inside crypts, and, probably, the people who are painted on them were buried in these burial grounds.
In the 7th century AD e. Japan adopts writing that comes from China. Around the same time, the first paintings came from there. Then painting appears as a separate sphere of art.
Edo
Edo is far from the first and not latest painting, however, it was she who brought a lot of new things to culture. Firstly, it is the brightness and colorfulness that were added to the usual technique, performed in black and gray tones. Most an outstanding artist This style is considered Sotasu. He created classic paintings, but his characters were very colorful. Later he switched to nature, and most of his landscapes were painted against gilded backgrounds.
Secondly, during the Edo period, exoticism, the namban genre, appeared. It used modern European and Chinese techniques that were intertwined with traditional Japanese styles.
And thirdly, the Nanga school appears. In it, artists first completely imitate or even copy the works of Chinese masters. Then a new branch appears, which is called bunjing.
Modernization period
The Edo period gives way to Meiji, and now Japanese painting is forced to new stage development. At this time, genres such as the Western and the like were becoming popular around the world, so the modernization of art became a common state of affairs. However, in Japan, a country where all people revere traditions, given time the situation was significantly different from what was happening in other countries. Competition between European and local technicians is fierce here.
The government at this stage gives preference to young artists who show great promise of improving their skills in Western styles. So they send them to schools in Europe and America.
But this was only at the beginning of the period. The point is that famous critics Western art was criticized quite strongly. To avoid a lot of fuss about this issue, European styles and the techniques began to be banned at exhibitions, their display ceased, as did their popularity.
The emergence of European styles
Next comes the Taisho period. At this time, young artists who were leaving to study in foreign schools, come back to their homeland. Naturally, they bring with them new styles of Japanese painting, which are very similar to European ones. Impressionism and post-impressionism appear.
At this stage, many schools are being formed in which ancient Japanese styles. But it is impossible to completely get rid of Western tendencies. Therefore, we have to combine several techniques in order to please both lovers of the classics and fans of modern European painting.
Some schools are funded by the state, thanks to which it is possible to preserve many of the national traditions. Private owners are forced to follow the lead of consumers who wanted something new; they are tired of the classics.
Painting from the Second World War
After the onset of wartime, Japanese painting remained aloof from events for some time. It developed separately and independently. But this couldn't go on forever.
Over time, when the political situation in the country becomes worse, high and respected figures attract many artists. Some of them began to create in patriotic styles even at the beginning of the war. The rest begin this process only on orders from the authorities.
Accordingly, Japanese fine art was unable to develop particularly during the Second World War. Therefore, for painting it can be called stagnant.
Eternal Suibokuga
Japanese painting sumi-e, or suibokuga, literally means “ink painting.” This determines the style and technique of this art. It came from China, but the Japanese decided to call it their own. And initially the technique did not have any aesthetic side. It was used by monks for self-improvement while studying Zen. Moreover, they first drew pictures and subsequently trained their concentration while viewing them. The monks believed that strict lines, blurry tones and shadows - all that is called monochrome - help to improve.
Japanese ink painting, despite the wide variety of paintings and techniques, is not as complex as it might seem at first glance. It is based on only 4 plots:
- Chrysanthemum.
- Orchid.
- Plum branch.
- Bamboo.
A small number of plots does not make mastering the technique quick. Some masters believe that learning lasts a lifetime.
Despite the fact that sumi-e appeared a long time ago, it is always in demand. Moreover, today you can meet masters of this school not only in Japan, it is widespread far beyond its borders.
Modern period
After the end of the Second World War, art in Japan flourished only in large cities; villagers and villagers had enough to worry about. For the most part, artists tried to turn away from the losses of wartime and depict on canvas modern city life with all its embellishments and features. European and American ideas were successfully adopted, but this state of affairs did not last long. Many masters began to gradually move away from them towards Japanese schools.
Always remained fashionable. Therefore, modern Japanese painting can differ only in the technique of execution or the materials used in the process. But most artists do not perceive various innovations well.
It is impossible not to mention the fashionable modern subcultures, such as anime and similar styles. Many artists try to blur the line between the classics and what is in demand today. For the most part, this state of affairs is due to commerce. Classics and traditional genres in fact, they don’t buy, therefore, it is unprofitable to work as an artist in your favorite genre, you need to adapt to fashion.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, Japanese painting is a treasure trove of fine art. Perhaps, the country in question was the only one that did not follow Western trends and did not adapt to fashion. Despite many blows during the advent of new techniques, Japanese artists were still able to defend national traditions in many genres. This is probably why paintings made in classical styles are highly valued at exhibitions today.
Japanese painting is an absolutely unique movement in world art. It has existed since ancient times, but as a tradition it has not lost its popularity and ability to surprise.
Attention to traditions
The East is not only landscapes, mountains and rising sun. These are also the people who created his story. It is these people who have supported the tradition of Japanese painting for many centuries, developing and enhancing their art. Those who made a significant contribution to history Japanese artists. Thanks to them, modern ones have retained all the canons of traditional Japanese painting.
Manner of execution of paintings
Unlike Europe, Japanese artists preferred to paint closer to graphics than to painting. In such paintings you will not find the rough, careless oil strokes that are so characteristic of the Impressionists. What is the graphic nature of such art as Japanese trees, rocks, animals and birds - everything in these paintings is drawn as clearly as possible, with solid and confident ink lines. All objects in the composition must have an outline. Filling inside the outline is usually done with watercolors. The color is washed out, other shades are added, and somewhere the color of the paper is left. Decorativeness is precisely what distinguishes Japanese paintings from the art of the whole world.
Contrasts in painting
Contrast is another characteristic technique used by Japanese artists. This could be a difference in tone, color, or the contrast of warm and cool shades.
The artist resorts to this technique when he wants to highlight some element of the subject. This could be a vein on a plant, a separate petal, or a tree trunk against the sky. Then the light, illuminated part of the object and the shadow under it are depicted (or vice versa).
Transitions and color solutions
When painting Japanese paintings, transitions are often used. They can be different: for example, from one color to another. On the petals of water lilies and peonies you can notice the transition from light shade to a rich, bright color.
Transitions are also used in the image of the water surface and sky. The smooth transition from sunset to dark, deepening twilight looks very beautiful. When drawing clouds, transitions from different shades and reflexes are also used.
Basic motives of Japanese painting
In art, everything is interconnected with real life, with the feelings and emotions of those involved in it. As in literature, music and other forms of creativity, there are several eternal themes in painting. These are historical subjects, images of people and nature.
Japanese landscapes come in many varieties. Often in paintings there are images of ponds - a favorite piece of furniture for the Japanese. A decorative pond, several water lilies and bamboo nearby - this is what a typical picture of the 17th-18th century looks like.
Animals in Japanese painting
Animals are also a frequently recurring element in Asian painting. Traditionally it is a prowling tiger or a domestic cat. In general, Asians are very fond of and therefore their representatives are found in all forms of oriental art.
The world of fauna is another theme that Japanese painting follows. Birds - cranes, decorative parrots, luxurious peacocks, swallows, inconspicuous sparrows and even roosters - all of them are found in the drawings of oriental masters.
Pisces - no less hot topic for Japanese artists. Koi carp are the Japanese version of goldfish. These creatures live in Asia in all ponds, even in small parks and gardens. Koi carp is a kind of tradition that belongs specifically to Japan. These fish symbolize struggle, determination, and achieving your goal. It’s not for nothing that they are depicted floating with the flow, always with decorative wave crests.
Japanese paintings: depiction of people
People in Japanese painting are a special theme. Artists depicted geishas, emperors, warriors and elders.
Geishas are depicted surrounded by flowers, always wearing elaborate robes with many folds and elements.
Sages are depicted sitting or explaining something to their students. The image of the old scientist is a symbol of the history, culture and philosophy of Asia.
The warrior was portrayed as formidable, sometimes terrifying. The long ones were drawn in detail and looked like wire.
Usually all the details of the armor are clarified using ink. Often naked warriors are decorated with tattoos depicting an eastern dragon. It is a symbol of Japan's strength and military might.
Rulers were depicted for imperial families. Beautiful clothes and decorations in men’s hair are what such works of art abound in.
Landscapes
Traditional Japanese landscape - mountains. Asian painters have succeeded in depicting a variety of landscapes: they can depict the same peak in different colors, with a different atmosphere. The only thing that remains unchanged is the obligatory presence of flowers. Usually, together with the mountains, the artist depicts some kind of plant in the foreground and draws it in detail. The mountains and cherry blossoms look beautiful. And if they paint falling petals, the picture evokes admiration for its sad beauty. The contrast in the atmosphere of the picture is another wonderful quality of Japanese culture.
Hieroglyphs
Often the composition of a picture in Japanese painting is combined with writing. The hieroglyphs are arranged so that they look beautiful compositionally. They are usually drawn on the left or right of the painting. Hieroglyphs can represent what is depicted in the painting, its title, or the name of the artist.
Japan is one of the richest countries in history and culture. All over the world, the Japanese are generally considered to be pedantic people who find aesthetics in absolutely all manifestations of life. Therefore, Japanese paintings are always very harmonious in color and tone: if there are splashes of some bright color, it is only in the semantic centers. Using paintings by Asian artists as an example, you can study color theory, correct representation of form using graphics, and composition. Performance technique Japanese paintings so high that it can serve as an example for working with watercolors and performing “washing” of graphic works.
Hokusai, an 18th-century Japanese artist, created a dizzying number artwork. Hokusai worked into old age, invariably asserting that “everything he did before the age of 70 was not worthwhile and not worth attention.”
Perhaps the most famous Japanese artist in the world, he always stood out from his fellow contemporaries for his interest in everyday life. Instead of depicting glamorous geishas and heroic samurai, Hokusai painted workers, fishermen, and urban genre scenes, which were not yet a subject of interest for Japanese art. He also took a European approach to composition.
Here's a short list of key terms to help you navigate Hokusai's work a little.
1 Ukiyo-e are prints and paintings popular in Japan from the 1600s to the 1800s. Direction to fine arts Japan, developed from the Edo period. This term comes from the word "ukyo", which means "changeable world". Uikiye is a hint at the hedonistic joys of the burgeoning merchant class. In this direction, Hokusai is the most famous artist.
Hokusai used at least thirty pseudonyms throughout his life. Despite the fact that the use of pseudonyms was a common practice among Japanese artists of that time, he significantly surpassed other major authors in the number of pseudonyms. Hokusai's pseudonyms are often used to periodize the stages of his work.
2 The Edo period is the time between 1603 and 1868 in Japanese history, when economic growth and a new interest in art and culture were noted.
3 Shunrō is the first of Hokusai's aliases.
4 Shunga literally means "picture of spring" and "spring" is Japanese slang for sex. So these are engravings erotic in nature. They were created by the most respected artists, including Hokusai.
5 Surimono. The latest “surimono,” as these custom prints were called, were a huge success. Unlike ukiyo-e prints, which were intended for mass audiences, surimono were rarely sold to the general public.
6 Mount Fuji is a symmetrical mountain that happens to be the tallest in Japan. Over the years, it has inspired many artists and poets, including Hokusai, who published the ukiyo-e series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. This series includes Hokusai's most famous prints.
7 Japonism is the lasting influence that Hokusai had on subsequent generations of Western artists. Japonism is a style inspired bright colors ukiyo-e prints, lack of perspective and compositional experiments.
Japanese painting is the oldest art form. It includes various forms, genres and varied content.
Japanese painting is the oldest form of art. It includes various forms, genres and varied content. Elegant art reveals to the world paintings that are screens, wall paintings, silk or paper scrolls, fans, easel paintings and engravings.
Japanese painting is distinguished by a large number of different genres and styles. Nature occupies a leading place in Japanese painting, as in literature. She is presented as the guardian of the divine principle. Japanese painting originates in Chinese art, therefore its genres are very similar to the genres of the Celestial Empire. Nowadays, many Japanese artists prefer to study in China.
Painting in Japan has several stages in its development history. Each of them has its own characteristics and special features.
The initial stage of development is considered to be the time period from the middle of the seventh century to the end of the eighth century, called Nara. The Horyuji Temple was painted during this period, providing excellent evidence of the influence Japanese culture Indian and Chinese traditions.
The next period in the development of Japanese painting is called Heian. It is famous for the active prosperity of temple painting and examples of secular art of depiction. During this period, illustrations were created for novels and stories designed to entertain noble gentlemen.
Period Kamakura(occupies the time period from the end of the 12th century to the first half of the 14th century), which occupied the time period from the end of the twelfth century to the first half of the fourteenth century, is characterized by a change in styles, the search for new ways of depicting life. The mood of Japanese painting is changing dramatically. Previously paintings conveyed an optimistic, light and joyful atmosphere. During this period, a big step was taken towards a realistic image, as well as giving the picture an almost military character. Typical painting subjects are battle scenes from myths and history, religious scenes from the Buddhist tradition. Portraits of important government figures are widely used.
During Muromachi(time period from the first half of the 14th century to the second half XVI century), a trend that glorified Japanese painting throughout the world came to the fore. The philosophy of Zen Buddhism had a significant influence on painting, resulting in the popularity of landscape art. Monochrome technology has gained particular elegance. During this period, Japanese painting was influenced by China. Most famous Japanese artist At that time, Toyo Oda, who specialized in painting landscapes, created his first paintings when he traveled around the Middle Kingdom. He developed the direction already in his homeland.
The above-described trend actively developed and was supplemented during the next two periods in the development of Japanese painting - Monoyama And Edo. The monochrome technique was a more sophisticated option. The details were carefully worked out and drawn out. Artists were not afraid to experiment and began to use techniques previously used in painting on scrolls and screens in wall painting. Landscapes and crowd scenes began to be supplemented psychological stories, demonstrating the hero at a moment of strong emotional stress. Besides traditional painting In Japan, wood engraving became widespread. It was divided into two types: theatrical engraving and everyday descriptive engraving. The most famous master of theatrical engraving is Choshusai Sharaku. Everyday engraving actively developed in the works of Suzuki Harunobu and Kitagawa Utamaro.
