Norio Imai Biography

Since the very start of his artistic career, Norio Imai has challenged the dogma of artistic convention. He creates bulbous reliefs that exist somewhere in-between object and painting. By placing material underneath the surface of his works, Imai creates monumental monochrome white paintings out of almost nothing. He considers white to be the ultimate colour, a non-colour that combines all colours in perfect harmony. Imai often repaints his work with an additional layer of paint to preserve the depth and purity of the whiteness. To him, white is a landscape made up of nothingness and emptiness.

Read More

Norio Imai's works reflect on an increased shift toward the feminine, which is one of the most significant changes currently taking place in the world we live today. Imai's work can be described as maternal, with fluid and matrixial qualities gaining importance over unambiguous masculinity. In this complete pureness, his works embrace all possibilities.

Text courtesy Axel Vervoordt Gallery.

Norio Imai
featured artworks

Horizontal Line No.16 | ⽔平線No.16 by Norio Imai contemporary artwork works on paper
Norio Imai Horizontal Line No.16 | ⽔平線No.16, 1975 Collage on Japanese paper
56 x 74 cm
Yumiko Chiba Associates Request Price & Availability
Horizontal Line No.2 | ⽔平線No.2 by Norio Imai contemporary artwork works on paper
Norio Imai Horizontal Line No.2 | ⽔平線No.2, 1975 Collage on Japanese paper
56 x 74 cm
Yumiko Chiba Associates Request Price & Availability
Blue Circle No.4 | ブルーサークル No.4 by Norio Imai contemporary artwork works on paper
Norio Imai Blue Circle No.4 | ブルーサークル No.4, 1975 Collage on paper
70 x 70 cm
Yumiko Chiba Associates Request Price & Availability
Video Snap by Norio Imai contemporary artwork photography
Norio Imai Video Snap, 1974 Instant photograph
28 x 34.7 cm
Yumiko Chiba Associates Request Price & Availability

Norio Imai
recent exhibitions

View 3 More
View 3 More

Represented by these
Ocula Member Galleries

View 3 More

Norio Imai in
Ocula Magazine

Learn more about the market for works
by Norio Imai.
Enquire for a confidential discussion. Enquire Now
Simon Fisher, Ocula CEO
Ocula Advisor
Simon Fisher
Christoper Taylor, Ocula Advisor
Ocula Advisor
Christopher Taylor
Eva Fuchs, Ocula Advisor
Ocula Advisor
Eva Fuchs
Rory Mitchell, Ocula Advisor
Ocula Advisor
Rory Mitchell
Ocula discover the best in contemporary art icon.
Follow Norio Imai
Stay ahead.
3 new artworks have recently been added.
Receive updates on new artworks,
exhibitions and articles.
Your personal data is held in accordance with our privacy policy.
Follow
Do you have an Ocula account?
Ocula discover the best in contemporary art icon.
Get Access
Join Ocula to request price and availability of artworks, exhibition price lists and build a collection of favourite artists, galleries and artworks.
Do you have an Ocula account? Login
What best describes your interest in art?

Subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming exhibitions, available works, events and more.
By clicking Sign Up or Continue with Facebook or Google, you agree to Ocula's Terms & Conditions. Your personal data is held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Thank you for joining us. Just one more thing...
Soon you will receive an email asking you to complete registration. If you do not receive it then you can check and edit the email address you entered.
Close
Thank you for joining us.
You can now request price and availability of artworks, exhibition price lists and build a collection of favourite artists, galleries and artworks.
Close
Welcome back to Ocula
Enter your email address and password below to login.
Reset Password
Enter your email address to receive a password reset link.
Reset Link Sent
We have sent you an email containing a link to reset your password. Simply click the link and enter your new password to complete this process.
Login