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Masato KOBAYASHI

MASATO KOBAYASHI

Star of the Wilderness Exhibition celebrating the Publication of "Paint of This Planet” Volume III ShugoArts 18 April–30 May 2026 Tokyo
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Press Release

“Star of the Wilderness” is a metaphor for a star that shines whether anyone is looking at it or not. —Masato Kobayashi

ShugoArts is pleased to present “Star of the Wilderness” by Masato Kobayashi. This exhibition celebrates the publication of the final volume of Kobayashi’s autobiographical novel trilogy Paint of this Planet, while also unveiling the artist’s new works.

Paint of this Planet traces the adventurous journey of Masato Kobayashi’s painting over more than four decades. Kobayashi first came to painting in his youth. After a period of working in Kunitachi, Tokyo, he was discovered by the legendary curator Jan Hoet and moved to Ghent, Belgium. Based in Ghent, Kobayashi traveled and created works in various locations across Europe. Through encounters, setbacks, and continuous exploration, he gradually forged his own distinctive approach to painting. The final volume of the trilogy centers on an exhibition at Tensta Konsthall in Sweden, where Kobayashi opened his creation to the public. Moving back and forth across different moments in time, the narrative unfolds through dialogues, confrontations, and at times unexpected happenings with people around him, revealing the world of painting that Kobayashi has pursued.

Kobayashi has developed a unique method of painting in which he stretches the canvas onto its wooden frame while working directly with his hands and body. Through this process, he works on the painting and its structure all together to make them one.

The exhibition will feature two large-scale paintings at its core: “Artist and the Model,” measuring over 2.6 meters, and “Star of the Wilderness,” from which the exhibition takes its title.

From Kunitachi (Tokyo) to Ghent (Belgium), and later Tomonoura (Hiroshima, Japan), Kobayashi has continued to present paintings that could only emerge from each specific place and moment. These works arise through a delicate balance of circumstances; if even the slightest imbalance occurs, they cannot be born. In the midst of the “wilderness,” Kobayashi’s painting extends beyond the frame, expanding endlessly while emitting its own brightness.

We warmly invite you to experience Kobayashi’s new works and discover his artistic journey alongside the novel.

ShugoArts March 2026

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Installation Views

Exhibition view: Masato KOBAYASHI, Star of the Wilderness Exhibition celebrating the Publication of “Paint of This Planet” Volume III, ShugoArts, Tokyo (18 April–30 May 2026). Courtesy ShugoArts.
Exhibition view: Masato KOBAYASHI, Star of the Wilderness Exhibition celebrating the Publication of “Paint of This Planet” Volume III, ShugoArts, Tokyo (18 April–30 May 2026). Courtesy ShugoArts.
Exhibition view: Masato KOBAYASHI, Star of the Wilderness Exhibition celebrating the Publication of “Paint of This Planet” Volume III, ShugoArts, Tokyo (18 April–30 May 2026). Courtesy ShugoArts.
Exhibition view: Masato KOBAYASHI, Star of the Wilderness Exhibition celebrating the Publication of “Paint of This Planet” Volume III, ShugoArts, Tokyo (18 April–30 May 2026). Courtesy ShugoArts.
Exhibition view: Masato KOBAYASHI, Star of the Wilderness Exhibition celebrating the Publication of “Paint of This Planet” Volume III, ShugoArts, Tokyo (18 April–30 May 2026). Courtesy ShugoArts.
Exhibition view: Masato KOBAYASHI, Star of the Wilderness Exhibition celebrating the Publication of “Paint of This Planet” Volume III, ShugoArts, Tokyo (18 April–30 May 2026). Courtesy ShugoArts.
Exhibition view: Masato KOBAYASHI, Star of the Wilderness Exhibition celebrating the Publication of “Paint of This Planet” Volume III, ShugoArts, Tokyo (18 April–30 May 2026). Courtesy ShugoArts.
Exhibition view: Masato KOBAYASHI, Star of the Wilderness Exhibition celebrating the Publication of “Paint of This Planet” Volume III, ShugoArts, Tokyo (18 April–30 May 2026). Courtesy ShugoArts.
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)

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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.

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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
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