Artist Name: HARA Hiroshi 　Real name: TANIKAWA Hiroshi

Born in Takamatsu City, 1956. Graduated from Tama Art University, Department of Painting, 1979 Born in Kagawa, Japan in 1956, Hara majored in oil painting at Tama Art University. After experimenting with various materials such as glass and bark, since 2003, he has been using handmade Japanese paper and ink (Suiboku-ga technique) to create minimalistic works on the theme of "phenomenon and action". Currently, he is not concerned with the material of expression in his work. He believes that self-expression is born from an internal necessity and that it is important to compare the self (our culture) with others (other cultures).
He has participated in numerous exhibitions including Art Fair Tokyo (2008-2010), Art HK (Hong Kong, 2010), Art Taipei 2012 (Taipei, 2012), Unbound Perspectives Exhibition (New York, 2012), Kagawa Yamanami Art Festival (Kagawa Prefecture, 2013-2019). He has participated in many exhibitions such as Art Taipei 2012 (Taipei, Taiwan, 2010), Unbound Perspectives Exhibition (New York, 2012), Kagawa Yamanami Art Festival (Kagawa, 2013-2019).

Solo Exhibitions
2024 “Hiroshi Hara Exhibition: With the Kaiganji Temple Barrier Paintings,” Nakatsu Banshoen Marugame Museum, Marugame, Kagawa , 2023 “Hiroshi Hara × Hiroko Tanikawa Exhibition,” Artland Gallery, Marugame, Kagawa, 2022 “Hiroshi Hara 1975–2022,” Art Echo Gallery, Manno, Kagawa
2019 Kamado Hall (Sakaide, Japan), 2016 Art Beatus HK (Hong Kong), 2012, 14-17, 19,21 Artland Gallery (Marugame, Japan), 2007, 08, 10, 15, 18 Gallery Natsuka (Ginza, Kyobashi, Tokyo), 2008 Art Beatus Van ( (Bankvar, Tokyo), 2008 Art Beatus Van (Bankvar, Tokyo)

Hara Hiroshi Text

Twenty years ago, I began to re-examine the very foundations of my creative process, the act of drawing, and the materials used for expression. Utilizing the unique characteristics of these materials, I focused on a minimalist style and honed my craft over approximately a decade with a series of works titled Water Engraving Drawings (named by the contemporary thinker Masato Goda).

In 2015, while researching the soot produced during the process of making ink, I stumbled upon the beautiful black color that appears when a flame, fueled by oil, is directly applied to a canvas. I was captivated by the slight variations in this black color and the sense of floating it evoked. Seven years have passed since I began producing various works inspired by this discovery.

Last year, I was struck by an unexpected illness, leading to many days where I could hardly create. I was forcibly reminded that human life is finite and we all move towards its inevitable end. The time I have left for creating art might be limited; even if it's long, it's still finite. What is time, really? These questions have continually circled my mind.

For this occasion, having gained the opportunity to present my work, I have added subtle touches of intent to the accidental world created by flames. While the stroke (the force behind the drawing) is deliberate, the direction is random. I crafted this work with the question in mind: How would the phenomenon of life beginning and becoming active appear from a bird's-eye view?