An Experiment in Introducing Form by Hara Hiroshi

This is the sixth solo exhibition at Artland Gallery. Many people have visited my works. At the last exhibition, Mr. U, a craftsman, came to the gallery and left a comment about my works. He said, "Isn't it too severe to be called a painting? It is a work of performance, a work created as a trace of that performance, isn't it?"

I later learned that Mr. U was a senior in high school and had worked as an assistant to a famous contemporary artist when he was young. I thought it was a very apt observation.

However, the trouble is that I, as the artist, think it is a two-dimensional work and a painting. I am fascinated by the beautiful black color of soot and the floating sensation that appears when the flame is directly applied to the screen, and if possible, I would like to have time to stay in this world for a while longer.

In this production method, I am not allowed to have a shape (even if I wanted to paint a shape, I would not be able to do so), and I cannot deviate from slight variations of black in color. In such a situation, I dared to experiment with the intrusion of shapes and icons.

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)