Since the 1990s, the figurative trend in painting has posited a variety of new issues while receiving a great deal of esteem in the art world. Naturally, this figurative approach not only presents the viewer with something refreshing but also influences the artists’ own practice. And as Baudelaire wrote, “Everything that is beautiful and noble is the product of reason and calculation,” suggesting that it would be wrong to rashly reject new trends in art.
 
Though differing in means of expression and genre, and encompassing everything from abstract composition to figurative images, oil painting, Nihon-ga, and prints, the work collected in this exhibition might be seen as similar in the sense that much of it attempts to discover a new approach that questions the current state of imagery and materials. It is our hope that the event will serve as a place to consider the type of expression that is currently being explored by a younger generation of artists. In closing, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the artists for allowing us to make use of their works, the many individuals who provided us with a variety of support, and the Faculty of Art Alumni Association at the Kyoto City University of Arts for their cooperation in helping us realize this event.

Guest Curator: NAKAI Yasuyuki (curator of the National Museum of Art, Osaka)
Participating Artists:
KASHIKI Tomoko, TEZUKA Aiko, NAKAOKA Masumi, NAKAYAMA Reika, NISHIDA Nanako, MISE Natsunosuke, MIYAKE Saori, MIYAKE Yukiko, MORI Chihir, YOKOUCHI Kentaro.