Tokuo Kajiura Exhibition

< Opening Tea Party >
"Where am I? Who am I?　Tokuo Kasiura

Date & Time: July 16 (Sun) 11:00 - 12:30
Venue: Artorando Gallery
Admission: Free

After graduating from an art college in Japan, Kajiura Tokuo studied sculpture at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna for one year before returning to Japan temporarily. Four years later, he returned to Vienna to study sculpture at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna for one year, returning to Japan temporarily.

■ Why did he start his career as an artist in Vienna?
■ How did he establish relationships with local galleries, museums, and government agencies?
■ What made it possible to sustain his activities in Vienna for so many years?

Please enjoy conversation with Mr. Kajiura over a cup of tea about his life as an artist, his path, and his real experiences along these three threads.
We look forward to your participation.

< A Cross Section of the Tea Party >

The tea conversation started with Mr. Kajiura telling us why he started his career as an artist in Vienna, and the participants were drawn into his story with a unique pause.

Mr. Kajiura happened to have a friend who was an exchange student from a German-speaking country at the art college he attended. He was acquainted with a professor at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, who introduced him to the professor. The professor replied in a friendly manner, "You are welcome to visit us anytime," and that is how it all started.

During the year of studying sculpture at the school, he visited galleries and museums, and interacted with various people... The Viennese were honest and of mixed Germanic descent. He found that they had a good sense of laziness, and that they were on the same wavelength as the ambiguity of the Japanese and could express themselves honestly, so he decided to return to Vienna four years later.

Thus the talk reached its climax, and after a break after about 50 minutes, the detailed talk, using slides of his solo exhibitions and works, quickly passed an hour and a half.
In general, Mr. Kajiura talked about his activities as an artist whose basis is "connection with people," using "ma," which is an extension of the original meaning of the Chinese character "ma" that he has adopted as his theme. This was the reason why he was able to sustain his Vienna-centered activities for many years.
Responsibility: Takashi Yamashita




View details: Kajiura Norio Exhibition

Kajiura Norio Biography
Born in Okayama in 1951, Norio Kajiura entered the Craft Department, Design Major, at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1970. In 1975, he continued his studies at the university's Graduate School in the Department of Oil Painting Techniques and Materials. After completing his graduate studies, he remained at the same research lab as a research student. In 1981-1982, he studied sculpture at the University of Applied Arts Vienna in Austria.
During his time in Europe, he was deeply impressed by the art scenes and the close connection between art and society. Inspired by the European art environment, he aspired to pursue activities in the region. He returned to Austria in 1986 and took up residence in Vienna. In 1987, he held his first solo exhibition at a gallery in Vienna. Following this, he conducted presentation activities in various European countries, including Germany, Italy, Spain, Liechtenstein, Belgium, and others.
In 1991, he resumed presenting his works in Japan, with activities spanning cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Okayama, Kumamoto, Marugame, Nagasaki, Kobe, and more. At the end of 2017, he returned to Japan and established his studio in Okayama, where he continues his artistic production. He actively engages in presentation activities across Japan and other locations.