TOKIHIRO SATO
佐藤 時啓
[Contemporary Artist / Photographer]He is a Japanese photographer and contemporary artist widely known for his work exploring the concepts of light and time.
Gaining attention through his distinctive use of pinhole cameras and his “Light Traces” series—capturing layered exposures over time—he presents light itself as the subject of his art. Through this unique approach, he seamlessly blends visual beauty with the passage of time, offering a fresh perspective on how we perceive reality.
His work transcends mere visual experience, inviting viewers into a deeper, philosophical contemplation of time’s flow.
Highly acclaimed in exhibitions both in Japan and abroad, his art has established a unique and influential presence in the realm of contemporary art.
KENJI SATO
佐藤 健司
[Contemporary Artist]Kenji Sato is not only a renowned makeup artist but also a painter who pursues his own unique form of artistic expression.
His paintings utilize his expertise in makeup to meticulously portray light and shadow, creating spaces
that are both realistic and fantastical. With delicate brushwork and bold use of color, his works leave a
lasting impression and possess a powerful energy that transcends the boundaries between visual art and fashion.
Sato’s career as a makeup artist is equally remarkable. He has been responsible for the visual styling of numerous internationally acclaimed artists such as Lady Gaga, Jared Leto, EXILE, SMAP, and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
Widely recognized in the film and music industries for his exceptional skill and aesthetic sense, Sato continues to explore new possibilities in visual art through both makeup and painting, breaking ground in how we experience beauty and expression.
KOTARO ISOBE
磯部 光太郎
[Contemporary Artist]Kotaro Isobe creates works centered around the theme of “the habitat of living creatures,” depicting the delicate activities of nature. He focuses on the small creatures that exist within human habitats—such as the insects that gather around flowers, the frogs and dragonflies that inhabit ponds and rice fields—and beautifully expresses their coexistence.
Using traditional Japanese painting techniques, Isobe captures the fleeting breath of nature with meticulous attention to detail. His works go beyond mere realism, emphasizing the harmony of life unfolding within nature. Isobe’s paintings evoke a quiet yet powerful energy of life, offering a profound connection to the natural world. They not only remind viewers of the importance of this connection but also leave them with a deep sense of emotional impact.
RYOTA UNNO
海野 良太
[Contemporary Artist]Ryota Unno is a Japanese contemporary artist whose work centers around digital art and interactive installations. His art explores the relationship between technology and humanity, as well as the fusion of the digital and physical worlds. Through visually striking aesthetics combined with philosophical inquiry, his pieces offer viewers a fresh perspective on the nature of experience and perception.
Unno is particularly recognized for his innovative use of AI and algorithmic processes in art, skillfully balancing technology and emotional sensitivity to create works that engage not only the eye but also the mind.
Actively participating in exhibitions and projects both in Japan and internationally, he is constantly seeking new modes of expression. His works transcend passive viewing, redefining the power of art through interaction, dialogue, and immersive experience.
TEPPEI MIYAKE
三宅 哲平
[Contemporary Artist]Teppei Miyake is the founder of “The New Funeral Workshop”, and a contemporary artist who proposes innovative burial practices suited to modern life.
Through his highly refined painting techniques, Miyake explores the theme of death with deep philosophical insight, while seeking to create new traditions that can be passed on to future generations.
His proposals include in-home memorial graves that allow loved ones to feel close to the deceased, as well as memorial portrait paintings imbued with personal memories of the departed. By doing so, he aims to preserve emotional bonds beyond death and reshape burial culture in a way that aligns with contemporary lifestyles.
Miyake’s work redefines the connection between the living and the dead, offering a new perspective on the afterlife through profound, thought-provoking art. His practice challenges societal norms and opens the door to a future where remembrance and ritual are transformed into intimate, lasting experiences.
KAORU AKAGAWA
赤川 薫
[Contemporary Artist]Kaoru Akagawa is a contemporary artist born in Canada, whose work is rooted in the traditional Japanese art of kana calligraphy. Drawing from this cultural heritage, she creates multicultural pieces that blend the refined beauty of kana with Western artistic elements.
Her practice explores a unique artistic language where different cultures intersect, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional calligraphy. While honoring the classical aesthetics of shodo, she reimagines them through a modern lens, giving rise to new forms of artistic expression.
Akagawa’s work redefines Japanese beauty within a global context and has received wide acclaim both in Japan and internationally.
RIE HASEGAWA
長谷川 理恵
[Contemporary Artist]Rie Hasegawa explores free and intuitive expression through the use of alcohol ink art and modeling paste. Her works possess a depth reminiscent of oil paintings, while creating unique textures and a distinct sense of dimension.
Her artistic journey began around the time she started practicing meditation. In creating from a place of calm and stillness, she discovered the joy of shaping her inner world — a joy that continues to fuel her creative drive.
Each piece emerges from inspiration, without preconception or planning. The result is a spontaneous beauty that surprises even the artist herself. Many of her works carry a light and playful charm, often expressed through small, round canvases that naturally blend into their surroundings.
It is this free-spirited and sensory approach that gives her art its unique appeal. Hasegawa describes her creative process as a reflection of her most authentic self: “What I create in a state of no-mind is the purest expression of who I am.”
HIROYUKI MATSUI
松井 宏之
[Contemporary Artist]Hiroyuki Matsui is a ceramic artist who honors traditional pottery while embracing a contemporary sensibility, creating a unique and evolving artistic style.
His works are defined by a deep respect for the warmth and texture of clay, characterized by simple yet powerful forms. With a profound understanding of glazes and firing techniques, he explores natural materials to express the inherent beauty of earth and fire.
He is also one of the few disciples of Tōgaku Mori in Japan today who can craft authentic large jars, such as the ‘sanseki-game’ (three-stone jar). In the past, he created a piece that stood 100 cm tall, measured 80 cm in diameter, and weighed 120 kg.
Matsui aims to draw out the intrinsic vitality of ceramics, creating pieces that evoke warmth and presence for those who hold them. His work conveys a quiet elegance and invites the viewer to feel the limitless expressive potential of pottery — not only as fine art, but as objects that seamlessly blend into everyday life.
ANTON MOLNAR
アントン・モルナール
[Contemporary Artist]Anton Molnár is an artist who has transformed the chaotic aspects of contemporary society and culture, along with the fluctuating emotions within them, into his work based on his own lived experiences. His practice focuses on capturing the atmosphere of his life during the late 19th century and the following years, attempting to translate this into the language of art. This approach has become the core of his creative process. His expressions often involve delicate painting techniques and symbolism, quietly posing questions to the viewer.
For Molnár, art is already a “means of life”—it transcends mere creation, becoming a way of living itself. While embedding his emotions and opinions into his works, he maintains the stance that interpretations and evaluations should be left open to the viewer’s freedom. His pieces, which unfold various narratives and meanings depending on the observer, quietly and deeply enter the hearts of those who engage with them.