HIROKO KOSHINO

KH Gallery Ginza will host, “Hiroko Koshino, The Sources of Creative Inspiration” to introduce a multispectral view of the creations, life, and “Sumi Ink” of Koshino, who draws on the beauty of Japan as the source of her creative inspiration. The “Sumi Ink” series, which Koshino has worked on with her unique sensitivity since about 15 years ago, form the foundations of her creations. In between the Sumi ink and blank spaces lie the deeply rooted spirits of Japanese culture. From the powerful masterpieces of the early days to the recent works where gold, silver and Sumi ink overlap, the ever-transitioning artworks vividly capture the beauty of Japan sought by Koshino at each moment.
KH Gallery Ashiya, reconstructed from Koshino’s former residence designed by Tadao Ando, sits in a nature rich environment in Ashiya city of Hyogo prefecture. Longing to obtain a “physical experience and understanding of the four seasons of Japan”, Koshino spent some 30 years of her life in the natural setting. Koshino continues to tackle masterpieces at Semper, her nearby studio filled with natural light. For Koshino, life in Ashiya serves as the source of not only her creative inspiration, but also the aesthetic senses of the Japanese people which she seeks to pursue through her works.
Signature works including Sumi ink based art works and calligraphies will be on display in this exhibition under the concept of Koshino’s interpretation of “Japanese sensibilities.” KH Gallery Ginza will also explore a new form of presentation through its first-ever exhibition of slides showing Koshino’s lively production process, as well as Tadao Ando’s sketches and architectural scale models of Koshino’s residence in Ashiya. We invite you to come experience Koshino’s beloved atmosphere of Ashiya, the source of creative inspiration seeping through every corner of the gallery as if to transport visitors to the artist’s actual production environment.

Hiroko Koshino  WORK #1591

A heartwarming gentle painting for the deepening autumn. The theme for KH Gallery Ashiya’s second period exhibition of the year 2016 is “The Dreams of Mother Earth”.
 
The twinkling gold and red, the smooth, cloud-like white and the earthly materials of gypsum and cardboards; these are all symbols of vitality that are reminiscent of “Our Mother Earth”, as expressed in the paintings. Koshino’s magical works artfully orchestrated by a variety of materials have brought hope and dream to many of her appreciators. The inspirational paintings aim to encourage everyone to shine like the sun and to follow the unique path of their own lives.
 
This exhibition showcases dynamic, expressive artworks drawn with warm and neutral colors. Works including an oil painting inspired from the life of Aung San Suu Kyi, depicting a pair of praying hands, as well as a masterpiece resembling the colors and undulations of earth, embellish the otherwise monotonous gallery. What is noteworthy of this exhibition, is that KH Gallery Ashiya will, for the first time ever, exhibit fashion sketches and allow visitors to imagine the journey in which Koshino freely travels back and forth between the realms of painting and fashion. With the advent of a fruitful autumn approaching with winter just behind, we invite you to a cozy, warm atmosphere against the backdrop colored with the hues of the transitioning nature.

– Reservation required
To make a reservation, submit the online application form linked to this page with all the necessary fields completed.
http://www.kh-gallery.com/ashiya

Hiroko Koshino 《WORK #1478》 oil / canvas on board 2015

Hiroko Koshino 《WORK #386》 2007

Hiroko Koshino designed the uniforms for Japanese gymnastics national team this year as well, for them to wear in the 2016 quadrennial International competition. One of the uniforms for men's team has geometrically designed Chinese character "日本" (Japan) printed, and is quite  simple, sharp and dynamic. On the other hand, women’s uniform is adorned with Japanese cherry blossoms which shows gracefulness, strength and beauty. Japanese gymnastics national team is standing in the center of attention from the world.
Please give great attention to their performance as well as their uniform designed by Hiroko Koshino.

The exhibition, Hiroko Koshino, the Echoes of Summer will be held at KH Gallery Ginza. The power of plants and water streams, which leaves us with a refreshing and pure sense, have repeatedly appeared as Koshino’s themes. As evidenced by her decision to set her studio in a nature-rich environment, Koshino’s perception of nature is one that is replete with affection. Living a slow life away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, surrounded by nature and gazing at the change of trees are elements vital to Koshino’s creative endeavors. Koshino’s adoration of nature is abundantly visible in her artworks.
 
This exhibition showcases a myriad of creations including a lotus-motif Sumi ink masterpiece from about a decade ago, and Koshino’s latest work, a serene oil painting exploring the image of trees and water surfaces. The nature themed masterpieces bring about an elegant charm that is reminiscent of the purifying echoes of water.
 
A world portrayed mainly by Sumi ink and whitespace, black and white are also linked to the traditional oriental view of nature represented by ink paintings and the subtle, hidden but profound beauty, which have continued to inspire Koshino from her earliest works. Seemingly old, but new. The mythical paintings will invite you to a world of eternal beauty.
 
Serenity sets the background for the whispers of water and rustles of the woods. Take a moment to surround yourself with the cooling echoes which makes the heat of the outside world feel distant.

Monday, July 25 – Wednesday, August 24, 2016
10:30 am – 7:00 pm
Gallery closed every Sunday
Gallery closed for summer vacation from Saturday, August 6 to Sunday, August 14.

《WORK #1166》120cm×120cm　2016

KH Gallery Ginza will host, "Tsurutaro Kataoka, Hiroko Koshino, and Tsunahisa Ogino –The Universe-". While known for his career as an actor who gained popularity through variety shows, Kataoka has also taken painting as a serious part of his life. His artworks display his ability to capture the world from a perspective developed from his broad background. In particular, paintings conveying the warmth with which Kataoka views nature, along with the richness of color, are beloved by people of all ages. Fashion designer Koshino is also a painter who brings her sense of beauty to work in her paintings. For her, the natural progression of the four seasons is the source of all creativity. The vitality of nature is one of the themes she has addressed, and will continue to address throughout her life. Produced from the two painters with a borderless profession, Kataoka and Koshino’s works balance diverseness with a confidence in identity. This exhibition will also be the celebrated first unveiling of Tsunahisa Ogino's works. Launching his career as a professional painter at the recommendation of his father, Kataoka, Ogino has been branching out his means of expression from music to painting. The symbolic world of fantasy continues to develop with a synergistic mix of music and art.
 
This exhibition brings the worldviews of three boundaryless artists under one roof. Kataoka will display unreleased works while Koshino picks up pieces mostly from her new series, and Ogino, the long-awaited collection of works that he had stocked up. We invite you to come explore the grand story developed around the theme, “The Universe,” where genuine quality produced by established artists Kataoka and Koshino is accented with the fresh, youthful sensibilities of Ogino.

Friday, June 17, – Monday, July 18, 2016
Open every day throughout the exhibition period.

http://www.kh-gallery.com

Tsurutaro Kataoka  《Iridescent Clouds》　116.7 × 80.3 cm

Hiroko Koshino 《WORK #1188》　120×120cm

Tsunahisa Ogino 《KING》　116.7 × 91 cm