Become a My Ocula member for exclusive access to contemporary art and personalised artist recommendations.
Join Us Sign In
The Art World in Focus
Clear
Masato Kobayashi

MASATO KOBAYASHI

Portrait of the Artist ShugoArts 7 December 2024–1 February 2025 Tokyo
Overview Artworks Location
Request Prices & Availability
Press Release

‘Who would have predicted that in the 21st century, an artist would paint a horse with a paintbrush in its mouth? However, this is a motif that demands to be painted now more than ever.’

—MK, p.140, Kenjiro Hosaka, ʻAn Essay on Masato Kobayashiʼ.

ShugoArts will hold Masato Kobayashiʼs solo exhibition starting on Saturday, December 7, to celebrate the publication of MK, his highly anticipated monograph.

MK is Masato Kobayashi’s first comprehensive collection of his works. [Publisher: HeHe, Text: Kenjiro Hosaka, Design: Satoshi Suzuki] This substantial book, with over 300 pages despite its compact size, allows readers to trace the consistent evolution of Kobayashi’s paintings over the past 40 years, from his early works created during his university years to those produced in Kunitachi (Tokyo), Ghent (Belgium), Tomonoura (Hiroshima), and Toride(Ibaraki).

At ShugoArts in Roppongi, the exhibition will focus on new works from Kobayashi’s ongoing Portrait of the Artist series, which he has been working on for the past five years.

On the opening day, December 7, Masato Kobayashi will welcome visitors with his new works and the monograph MK. We would greatly appreciate it if you could announce the exhibition and the monograph in your publication.

Read More

Installation Views

About the Artist

Born in Tokyo (1957), Masato Kobayashi has explored his own definition of painting since the mid 1980s. Having deemed that ‘it is too late to paint after stretching canvas over a wooden frame,’ Kobayashi established his way of painting by stretching canvas and painting simultaneously. During his art-making process, he puts paint on his hand directly from paint tubes and applies colours by rubbing them on the canvas which he holds in place with the other hand. The artist creates image and space at the same time, and his methodology, which seems to integrate the soul of painting and body together, allows his artwork to stand out in the exhibition space and leave a strong impression on the viewers. Selected solo exhibitions: Artist and the Model, ShugoArts, Tokyo (2019); ART TODAY 2012, Sezon Museum of Modern Art, Nagano (2012); MASATO KOBAYASHI–The Paint of the Planet, Nariwa Museum, Okayama (2009); Starry Paint, stars of outer space by pure painting, Tensta Konsthall, Spanga, Sweden (2004); A Son of Painting Masato Kobayashi, S.M.A.K., Ghent (2001); KOBAYASHI Masato, The Miyagi Museum of Art (2000)

View Artist Profile Masato Kobayashi contemporary artist
About the Gallery

ShugoArts, established by Shugo Satani in 2000, values its locality, selects its artists regardless of their time and place, and sends out its activities from Tokyo.

Today, it has gotten much easier to appreciate various artworks of all times and places and their meanings, as well as spaces exhibiting artworks, need to be redefined, including contemporary art galleries. ShugoArts prioritises how to realise artists’ own growth as artists or make the most of their accomplishments. In order to nurture their abilities and possibilities, we provide our space for artists to express themselves freely and follow their artistic journeys side by side. Under any circumstances, our mission is to work and grow together with artists who ceaselessly create artworks, which shine a light on life and give it validation.

ShugoArts holds about 7 exhibitions a year and participates in national and international art fairs while simultaneously managing commissions for public spaces and organising performance and talk events. In addition, we also would like to be a part of art histories at large by creating invaluable archives and assisting art institutions.

View Gallery Profile
Address
Complex 665 2F, 6-5-24
Roppongi Minato-ku
Tokyo
Japan
Opening Hours
Tuesday – Saturday
12pm – 6pm
(1)
Tokyo Complex 665 2F, 6-5-24, Roppongi Minato-ku
ShugoArts contemporary art gallery in Tokyo Japan
ShugoArts
Complex 665 2F, 6-5-24, Roppongi Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
+81 364 472 234
http://www.shugoarts.com

Opening hours
Tuesday – Saturday
12pm – 6pm
Magazine Gallery Platform Advisory
Ocula Magazine

A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.

Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.

 Learn more about Ocula Magazine Learn more about Ocula Magazine Ocula Gallery Platform

Showcasing the best of the art world.

Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.

 Learn more about Ocula Membership Learn more about Ocula Membership Ocula Advisory

Specialises in the sale of major artworks.

Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.

 Learn more about our team and services Learn more about Ocula Advisory
The art world in focus