Text by Imamura Yoshio

If we try to describe a painting in language, we have already diverged from the essence of the painting. Rather, a painting is a sensory world that cannot be expressed in language, that cannot be grasped, and that seems to flutter in the air. Although it cannot compare to the mysterious colors and forms of the natural world, it is a world that can only be felt by human beings.

On my usual walking course, there is a former watering hole dedicated to the god of water. It must have been a spring that has been welling up ever since people began to live there, but the new road nearby has changed the water vein. The waterhole where people used to gather has dried up completely and only the dry square is exposed to the sun. What we thought was so easy to find is now gone. Even the scenery we see every day would be different if we turned our clocks back to the past, or, conversely, what would it be like if we turned them forward? The earth is said to be swallowed by the expanding sun, and the collapsed sun is said to be swallowed by a black hole. What we think is there is nothing.

Even if we don't take such a leap of faith, the daily transition of life is no different for human life and the life of plants and trees. We are busy living our lives to the fullest and passing them on to the next generation. The life of plants and trees in spring and summer, when life is in full swing, is dazzlingly beautiful. However, the beauty that comes to us as we age is more like the love we feel for plants and trees that wither and shrivel, but still bear blossoms. The view of the world of expression also changes with age, but I am happy every day that I still have to boldly face the expression that traces the vein of water that is about to dry up.

Imamura Yoshio

2013 Invited stay production at Korea International Print Residence (Daejeon)
2017 Invited to Korea South Seoul University Art Center Yoshio Imamura Exhibition
2018 Shenzhen Guanlan Print Museum, China Artist Residence Invited Stay Production

Major international exhibitions, domestic exhibitions / awards
1987 1987 Expected New Artist Award Exhibition / Purchase Award
1988 56th Japan Print Association Exhibition / Award Candidate / Associate Member Recommendation
1989 Winner of the 4th New York International Miniature Print Biennale Exhibition
1st Baratovaban International Print Biennale / Special Award
57th Japan Print Association Exhibition / Associate Member Award
15th Japan-France Contemporary Art Exhibition / Honorable Mention Award / France-Soir Award 2 seats for 90 years /
Received the Figaro Award for 3 seats for 90 years
Purchase of the 9th Frechen International Print Biennale work
Agency for Cultural Affairs Contemporary Art Selection Exhibition (Visit Japan)
1991 17th Japan-France Contemporary Art Exhibition / France-Soir Award 1 seat
Kurakou International Print Triennale (Poland)
1993 20th Lubriana International Print Biennale
1994 1994 Kurakou International Print Triennale (Poland)
1995 Pacific Rim International Print Exhibition / Hawaii Education and
Arts Foundation Purchase Award
Awarded in 1997 and 2000
1996 64th Japan Print Association Exhibition / Associate Member
Award / Member Recommendation
Agency for Cultural Affairs Contemporary Art Selection Exhibition (Visit Japan)
1998 3rd Finland International Mini Print Exhibition / Special Award
2000 20th Cadaques International Small Print Exhibition / Award
2008 New Zealand Pacific Rim International Print Exhibition / Jury
Special Award
2009 Seoul Space International Print Biennale / Purchase Award
Croatia, Split International Graphic Art Biennale Special Award
2011 Seoul Space International Print Biennale Award
2011 CWAJ Contemporary Japanese Print Exhibition 1st Steering
Committee Award
2017 Shenzhen Guanlan International Print Biennale
2018 Croatia International Print Biennale, Split Graphic Grand Prix
2018 Balna International Print Biennale (Bulgaria)
Selected for many other domestic and international print competitions
His work is stored in more than 20 museums around the world, including the United States, Israel and Germany.