At the art studios "Atelier Element Present" (Mie and Tokyo) and "Shobu Gakuen" (Kagoshima), people born with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities are daily producing artworks that evince rich sensibilities and intellectual insight.

Their world of jewel-like colors, full of bright, festive energy, easily calls the words "happiness" and "harmony" to mind. Their creative approach—light in spirit and as natural as breathing—seems to epitomize true freedom in art. The profound beauty of form they achieve forces us to reconsider our definition of the word, "disabled."

As a special feature, this exhibition will allow visitors to observe the artists’ production process, normally something only the studio staff is witness to. The exhibition venue will thus become a place to consider anew "the meaning and possibilities of art" in human life. (Some 100 artworks will be presented.)

*image (left)
Tomomi Shimokawa (Shobu Gakuen)
Untitled, 2014.
Mixed media.
©Shobu Gakuen