Shinpei Kusanagi (born 1973) is a Japanese painter working in Tokyo, Japan, noted for his improvisational brushstrokes and abstract landscapes.[1]

Shinpei Kusanagi
Born1973
Known forAbstract landscapes

Career

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Kusanagi relies on a technique reminiscent of traditional Japanese nijimi, in which he stains untreated canvas with layers of translucent color. He then incorporates improvisational brushstrokes, drawing on the tension between motion and stillness.[2] Kusanagi’s landscapes evoke familiar urban and natural scenes; his use of atmospheric color transforms the everyday environs into something new and unknown.[3]

Earlier in his career, Kusanagi published illustrated drawings to accompany a serialized novel.[4] These representational works anchor his abstractions.

Key exhibitions

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  • 2021 Altman Siegel, San Francisco, CA[5]
  • 2018 Taka Ishii Gallery, Tokyo, Japan[6]
  • 2017 Museum of Contemporary Art (Group Exhibition), Tokyo, Japan[7]
  • 2011 Opera City Art Gallery, Tokyo, Japan[8]
  • 2007 Gallery Sora, Tokyo, Japan[9]
  • 2006 Bankart Studio, Yokohama, Japan[10]

Public collections

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Kusanagi’s work is included in the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, KKR Japan, the LOEWE Foundation, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, The Rachofsky Collection, the Swiss Re Collection, and The UBS Art Collection.[11]

Awards and residencies

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  • 2002 "The choice," Grand Prix of the year[12]
  • 2002 Finalist of "Philip Morris Art Award: The First Move"[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi, You Can Go Farther, 2019". Art Basel. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi, You Can Go Farther, 2019". Art Basel. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi "nowhere now here"". Taka Ishii Gallery / タカ・イシイギャラリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  4. ^ Larking, Matthew (14 February 2013). "Go with the flow from representational to abstract". The Japan Times. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi 16 June - 17 July 2021". Altman Siegel. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi "Anywhere Out of the World"". Taka Ishii Gallery / タカ・イシイギャラリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  7. ^ "ToMuCo - Tokyo Museum Collection". Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi Exhibition (Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery)". Tokyo Art Beat. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi "erewhon"/exhibitions/gallery.sora". www.takaishiigallery.com.
  10. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi "ideath"". Taka Ishii Gallery / タカ・イシイギャラリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi, You Can Go Farther, 2019". Art Basel. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi". www.artnet.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Shinpei Kusanagi". www.artnet.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.