ART OSAKA Has Local Origins but Global Ambitions
Work by Kimura Takeshi presented in ART OSAKA 2023's 'Expanded' section at Creative Center Osaka. Courtesy the artist and Tezukayama Gallery.
Established by commercial galleries in 2002, ART OSAKA is Japan’s longest-running fair specialising in contemporary art. ART OSAKA has since become one of the leading fairs in Asia, focusing on outstanding young and mid-career artists from Japan and across the continent.
The 22nd edition of ART OSAKA will welcome 66 galleries from five countries and 12 cities. Participants in the ‘Galleries’ section include: Tomio Koyama Gallery, Nishimura Gallery, Taguchi Fine Art, Kenji Taki Gallery, MEM, Yoshiaki Inoue Gallery, ARTCOURT Gallery, Gallery Nomart, Mori Yu Gallery, and Yamaki Fine Arts. Among galleries joining from overseas are Aki Gallery, Yiri Arts, Der-horng Art Gallery, Gallery Shilla, and Gallery SP.
In 2022, ART OSAKA launched the ‘Expanded’ section, becoming the first Japanese fair to sell large-scale artworks. Held in a former shipyard, this endeavour symbolises ART OSAKA’s independent spirit.
The ‘Expanded’ section will feature museum-level works by artists such as Kozo Nishino (ARTCOURT Gallery), Minako Nishiyama (Yoshimi Arts), and Yasuka Goto (Tezukayama Gallery). The section also includes Cambodian artist Sopheap Pich (Tomio Koyama Gallery), upcoming Korean artists Sunghong Min and Sanghoon Ahn (Gallery Chosun), and German artist Astrid Köppe (Gallery Sekiryu).
ART OSAKA also emphasises the education of the next generation. Various programmes are planned, including artist talks, guided tours for school children, kids’ workshops, and free admission to the ‘Expanded’ section for students.
Main image: Work by Kimura Takeshi presented in ART OSAKA 2023's 'Expanded' section at Creative Center Osaka. Courtesy the artist and Tezukayama Gallery.
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