ARASHI TANAKA

A multifaceted artist, Tanaka has developed his artistic practice primarily through crystallisation, sometimes integrating photography and architecture. His works are grouped into thematic cycles that unfold over long periods, leveraging the phenomena and inherent characteristics of nature to explore expression while investigating and pursuing the ephemeral and pure beauty of nature. This inspiration stems from his deep connection with nature, beginning with surfing from the age of three, which has shaped his sense of distance, relationship with nature, and his appreciation for its beauty.

In recent years, Tanaka has primarily created works using crystallisation, focusing on the theme of freezing information and time. By utilising the unique properties of crystallisation, he preserves and freezes elements such as human lifespans, memories, and information about places that would otherwise fade with time. In this process, he exploits the characteristic of crystallisation, where vibrations stimulate growth and cause the crystals to change shape. In his iconic Portrait Series, the heartbeat of the subject accelerates the growth of the crystal, while in his Seascape Series, the sounds of the environment and vibrations from seawater are recorded in the crystals, visually materialising the latent atmosphere that cannot be directly perceived.

Tanaka’s works have been exhibited by institutions and galleries worldwide, including the Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK; BBA Gallery, Berlin, Germany; and biscuit Gallery x NISO Gallery, Tokyo, Japan. In 2024, he became the first Japanese artist to receive the British Institution Fund Award at the RA Summer Exhibition. That same year, he was honoured with the Eric Zhu Prize, Kentaro Notomi Prize, and Hiroaki Shono Prize at the You Are Different Kyomachibori Art Fair 2024 in Osaka, Japan.__