Words for the Solo Exhibition　　　　Hara Hiroshi

For nine years, I have been pursuing the possibilities of expression using Japanese paper and ink. My motivation has been to reconsider the relationship between the artist and the materials, to sense and cherish the beauty of the materials, and to keep a minimalist approach in my work. Although I do not think that these three points were sufficient, I attempted to deepen and sense the beauty of the materials by contrasting them with oil paints and canvas to further evolve my work.

In the process of creating this work, I had been trying to emphasize the act of creating without images, but I have come to give it a title in accordance with a natural phenomenon. In fact, in my work, I do not have a concrete image of nature, but rather a sense of nature that I perceive with an abstract sensibility. This includes the phenomenon of light.

It is conceptual light. Rather than dividing the picture plane into two separate areas, where "light" and "dark," "life" and "death," "light" and "darkness" can be felt,I used many gradations to blur the boundary between the two, expressing them as a single entity rather than dualistic. While continuing in this vein, I believe that new developments can be created by contrasting the materials used for expression.

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)