NEWS
Joining to the 3rd Japan International Arts Festival 2025 (Japan International Expo, Osaka, Kansai Expo site EXPO Messe ‘WASSE’)
JUNE 29, 2025Up coming exhibition3rd Japan International Arts Festival Venue: EXPO Messe ‘WASSE’, Osaka, Kansai Expo site Dates: 2 - 6 July 2025 Booth: B-6 & 7 We are pleased to present a new exhibition of meditative, immersive paintings by artist Towa Takaya. Celebrated both in Japan and overseas, her distinctive pictorial spaces—defined by mystical colors and subtly shifting vibrations—invite deep, contemplative viewing. Drawing on meticulous research into traditional Western painting methods and collected pigments by her own based on the field reach , Takayaʼs unique and original techniques summon shimmering light that echoes our inner landscapes and evokes the vast cycles of the Earth, and indeed the cosmos. We warmly invite you to experience this remarkable body of work. ______________________ About Japan International Art Festival - Organiser - Yumeshima New Industry and City Creation Organisation - Sponsors - <Platinum Sponsor> Hankyu Corporation <Gold Sponsor> Omron Corporation / Iwai Cosmo Securities / Takenaka Corporation <Silver Sponsor> Haseko Corporation / Union Corporation - Supported by - Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto City / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry / Kansai Association of Corporate Executives ‘Osaka-Kansai Expo’ Kyoto Support Council / Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry / Kansai Economic Federation / Japan Association for the International Exposition, 2025 / Consulate-General of Kansai / With the 2025 Japan International Exposition, The Coalition of Leaders for Creating the Future Society of the Region / Consulate-General of Canada in Nagoya / Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Osaka / Consulate-General of the Kingdom of Thailand in Osaka / Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Osaka / Consulate-General of the Mongolian State in Osaka / Consulate-General of India in Osaka-Kobe / Consulate-General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Osaka-Kobe / Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Osaka / Consulate-General of the Philippines in Osaka Consulate-General of the Philippines in Osaka / Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands / Consulate-General of Switzerland in Osaka / Italian Cultural Institute - Osaka / Consulate-General of Hungary in Osaka / Consulate-General of the United States in Osaka-Kobe / British Consulate-General / Consulate-General of France in Kyoto - Special cooperation - World Heritage Site Shingon Omuroha Ninna-ji Temple / World Heritage Site To-ji Temple (Kyo-o Gokoku-ji Temple), head temple of the Shingon sect / Shogo-in Monzeki, head temple of the Honzan Shugen sect / Kennin-ji Temple, head temple of the Rinzai sect / Senyuji Temple, head temple of the Senyuji sect of the Shingon sect / Ryukoku-zan Honganji Temple (Nishi Honganji Temple), head temple of the Honganji sect of the Jodo Shin sect / World Heritage Site Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, head temple of the Tendai sect
Artwork “ Immortal landscape : Fountain” < Exhibition and collection at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University >
JUNE 25, 2025The work "Immortal landscape: Fountain" by Towa Takaya has been accepted into the collection of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU). An unveiling ceremony was held at the university on 26 June 2025. This piece was created during a residency in Beppu, Japan. In his pursuit of the experience of nature, Jinen, Eien Takaya visited Beppu and experienced the land's overwhelming energy : geothermal heat and erupting springs. This piece was created after that experience, and the mud collected from the naturally gushing Blood Pond Hell has been refined to create the colour of the paint. At a time of fragmentation, climate change, and the accelerating development of AI technology, Towa Takaya dares to reconnect with nature and its phenomena. Through her dialogue with materials, she continues to create works that preserve the 'memory of the land' and 'traces of life' inherent in the materials themselves. This work represents Takaya's self-made paints, which are made from soil, plants, and pigments derived from cosmetics. This process is an attempt to reconnect his body with the world through art, and it is a way of rethinking the relationship between 'materials' and 'physicality'. The resulting piece, Immortal landscape: Fountain , explores the theme of nature (jinen) as 'something invisible to the eye yet certainly existing', offering viewers an immersive experience that makes them feel part of the great cycle of nature.Exhibition location: Green Commons Sakura Lounge, College of Sustainability and Tourism, Asia Ritsumeikan Pacific University *The public is welcome to view the exhibition.
Solo Exhibition "Being and transfiguration beyond nothingness " at ASTER Curator Museum in Kanazawa, Ishikawa
JUNE 06, 2025Up coming exhibition[Exhibition Outline] Towa Takaya Solo Exhibition ‘Being and Transfiguration beyond nothingness’ Dates ｜7 Jun (Sat) - 29 Jun (Sun), 2025 Closed｜Mon. Closed Tuesdays Venue ｜ASTER Curator Museum Hours ｜11:00 - 18:00 Location ｜1-99 Toiyacho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0061, Japan Admission ｜ ¥500 (incl. tax) ** Free for students Special page for individual exhibitions:*This exhibition will be held concurrently with the exhibition “Gutai Abstraction”, curated by Hiroki Yamamoto.Until now, I have kept the meditative and phenomenal experience of swaying and immersion in my work, and through WHYNOT's activities I started to visit the city of Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture, following an exhibition with the Suzu pottery artists. The concept of nature (jinen), which had been vague to me, became more physically aware and recognisable through my encounters with Pearl Island. At the same time as feeling a sense of awe towards nature, I also re-recognised the smallness of my own self as a living, breathing being. I tried to capture the overwhelming energy of the earth in my work. In my recent works, which are painted with my fingers using the sand and soil of Suzu as pigments, the distance between the “act” of painting and the “earth” grows closer. I hope you will take this opportunity to see the expression of the pictorial space that has developed through my involvement with Suzu. <On the solo exhibition: Being and transfiguration beyond nothingness>We do not know when and where ‘it’ or ‘I’ is born. Creation as an experience of consciousness and perception, and the transformation of matter experienced through the self-production of pigments, is an act of examining the relationship between human existence and things, accompanied by physical awareness. In the resulting flat space, a more intrinsic and universal perception of the world develops, which would be impossible to represent in language. There is a sense of something infinitely expansive, or, on the other hand, of simply standing in front of silence and nothingness. My perception of “now, this life”, which I sensed when I set foot on the land of Suzu, became more fluid with the transformation of materials in the course of creation. This led to a transformation of my perception of time and space, as if the ephemeral and the eternal were multilayered and reversible. I would be happy if these experiences, crystallised in the form of artworks, could be viewed as an exhibition and, as “themselves”, could be newly or come to life again.Towa Takaya ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ Concurrent exhibition curated by Hiroki Yamamoto ‘Guchusho - neither concrete nor abstract, or concrete and abstract’ Dates ｜12 Apr (Sat) - 27 Jul (Sun), 2025 Closed Mon. Closed Tuesdays Venue ｜ASTER Curator Museum Hours ｜11:00 - 18:00 Location ｜1-99 Toiyacho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0061, Japan Museum official website: https://aster-g.com/Towa Takaya was born in Japan and studied art at university in London, UK. Having received an art education in Europe, which emphasises social context and the multi-layered nature of concepts, Takaya is highly aware of the political nature of her work. In addition, she is an avid adopter of new technologies. At the same time, it is interesting to note her deep interest in universal entities and traditional techniques. Takaya's diverse activities include the Blue Series (2017-), which is the result of her spiritual search for the meaning of death and life, but her paintings, which never remain in one place but continue to move, are a mixture of contradictory abstraction and figuration.Hiroki Yamamoto (Cultural researcher) * To read his review of Takaya's solo exhibition “Being and transfiguration beyong nothingness ”,
solo exhibition " phenomena of the infinite"
MARCH 04, 2025Towa Takaya Solo Exhibition Venue 1: Ginza Mitsukoshi Main Bldg. 7th Floor GalleryFor inquiry : Ginza Mitsukoshi (Tell +81-3-3562-1111) Towa Takaya Born in 1992, Tokyo, Japan. Graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London.Her paintings, characterized by fluid lines and enigmatic colours, emerges from cross-disciplinary exploration of space, time and existence. She creates her work using handcrafted pigments derived from soil, plants and cosmetic ingredients sourced both in Japan and abroad.The exploration of a delicate spectrum of colours and rich tonal gradations creates a unique depth, transporting the viewers beyond the everyday and into realm of the spirit.The depth invites the viewer into a spiritual space detached from ordinary life.Additionally, her creative process integrates studies drawing systems in virtual reality and collaboration with technology from various fields. In 2022, she conducted a joint research with the Shiseido MIRAI Technology Institute, exploring the use of cosmetic raw materials in her work..Exhibitions & Achievements 2009 Selected for the 83rd National Exhibition, The National Art Center, Tokyo, Japan2012 Completed Foundation Diploma, Central Saint Martin's College, University of the Arts London2014 Selected for 2015 Completed Bachelor of Arts, Goldsmiths, University of London2017 Young Creator's Award 2017, Selected Prize, MI Gallery, Osaka, Japan2023
A joint research project has been launched by contemporary artist Towa Takaya and Dr Takehito Kato, Professor of Engineering at Oyama National College of Technology.
OCTOBER 06, 2024A new project by contemporary artist Towa Takaya and Takehito Kato (Professor at Oyama National College of Technology, Technical Director of SOLAR POWER PAINTERS Inc. and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Energy Education, a non-profit organisation) has now been launched and will begin collaborative production. *Photo: Towa Takaya and Mr Kato after the first collaborative experiment at Koyama National College of Technology on 29 July 2024.● *Photo: Experiments with different brush strokes and solar-powered ink by Towa Takaya We are currently working towards the goal of presenting the results of our production from 2025 onwards. In the future, we intend to implement the results of this joint research in areas such as support for areas affected by natural disasters. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: <Profile of Towa Takaya > Takaya was born in Tokyo in 1992. Ms. Takaya holds a degree from Goldsmiths, University of London and is currently based in Tokyo. She creates works using colour materials that she has manufactured herself from land, plants and cosmetic ingredients sourced from Japan and abroad. His unique approach to colour exploration, encompassing subtle nuances and rich tonal gradations, invites the viewer into a contemplative space that transcends the ordinary. From 2019 onwards, he will spearhead the WHYNOT project, which aims to facilitate dialogue and collaboration between artists and individuals engaged in the field of art. She is currently engaged in ongoing initiatives to foster solidarity and community-building through art.Artist official website: <Profile of Dr. Takehito Kato> Born 1979 Doctorate in research on dye-sensitised solar cells at the Kyushu Institute of Technology. He subsequently joined Sumitomo Chemical Co. From 2012 onwards, he has been engaged in research and development of coating-type environmental energy generators at the Oyama National College of Technology, while concurrently directing the training of engineers. Mr. Kato is currently engaged in the management of the NPO Energy Education, with the objective of disseminating and advancing recurrent education in environmental technology on a global scale. Additionally, he plays a pivotal role in the social implementation of coating-type power generation technology through Solar Power Painters Inc.Dr Kato Laboratory HP:
Participation in the Second Japan International Arts Festival: Creating the Future U35 Exhibition.
SEPTEMBER 30, 20242nd Japan International Arts Festival: Under 35 for the Future Art Exhibition ◼︎ Overview An exhibition that looks to the bright future through art created by artists under the age of 35 with a young sensibility. The exhibition will be held at the following location. ◼︎ Participating artists Ayaki Amagasaki, Maki Oi, Aika Ai, Gen Oshima, Towa Takaya, Kohei Takayama* (titles omitted, in alphabetical order)Dates ｜ 12 - 20 Oct 2024 9:00-16:00 *Closes completely at 17:00 Venue｜ Sennyuji Temple Shariden, Head Temple of the Sennyuji School of Shingon Buddhism (27 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto) Admission｜Free of charge *Entrance fee required. Organization｜Yumeshima New Industry and City Creation Organisation Special support｜Sennyuji Temple, head temple of the Sennyuji School of Shingon BuddhismSupporters' organizations｜Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto City / Expo 'Osaka-Kansai' Kyoto Support Council / Japan Association for the 2025 International Exposition, Kansai Association of Corporate Executives / Kansai Economic Federation / Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry ＜About Sennyuji Temple, Head Temple of the Sennyuji School of Shingon Buddhism> The head temple of the Sennyuji School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple is also called 'Goji' (Temple of the Emperor) because of its close connection with the imperial family. The name was changed in the early Kamakura period when Gekirin Daishi Shun-jyo adopted the Dharma style of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and set about building a large temple complex with fresh water gushing out of one corner of the site. The Daimon, Butsuden (Buddhist Hall), and Kaisando-Do have been designated national cultural relics, and Shinsho-Den houses many national, prefectural, and municipal cultural relics and unpublished materials, including the calligraphy of Kaisando-Daishi preserved at Sennyu-ji, as well as images and relics of emperors, Buddhist paintings, sutras, and ancient documents. <About the Shariden> *Normally closed to the public. The Shariden is a precious hall where the Buddha's tooth is enshrined. It was moved and renovated from the Kyoto Imperial Palace during the Keicho era and moved to its present location at the same time as the Buddha Hall. The relics were consecrated by his disciple, Master Zhanghai of the Song Dynasty in 1228 (Anjeong 2). It is currently enshrined in the inner sanctuary along with the statues of Vikiten and Gakubata Chosha (both important cultural relics), both from the 2nd year of Kanki's reign (1230). Every year on 8 October (8 September in the lunar calendar), which is considered to be the day of the visit, a Sharikai ceremony is held, which attracts many worshippers. The Shari-den is also famous as the setting for the Noh play Shari. The ceiling is decorated with dragons by Kano Sansetsu, also known as 'Naruryu'. Inside the Sharitori Pagoda is a Buddhist tusked Shari, flanked on either side by the moon-crowned chief and Vikasaten. The song 'Shari' tells the story of the theft of the Buddha's tusk, which is recovered by Vikasaten. Eight statues of the sixteen arhats are painted on the left and right walls of the inner sanctuary by the sixth-generation Kimura Ryotoku. Completed in 1668. ＜About the 2nd Japan International Arts Festival The Japan International Arts Festival, which will be held on the occasion of the 2025 Japan International Exposition, will be based both before and after the Expo in the cultural capital of Kyoto, the Millennium City and home of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and will aim to connect Osaka and the rest of Japan with the Expo and the rest of the world. Through the co-creation of art, design, science, technology and business, we will contribute to building a virtuous ecosystem of culture, art, business and society, and help create a future for Japan as a nation of culture and art and a country of well-being where life shines brightly. In addition to contemporary art, the festival will showcase to the world works created by contemporary artists in the traditional arts of Japan, including Japanese folk art such as folding screen paintings, traditional crafts such as lacquer and ceramics, and traditional performing arts such as Noh and Kabuki. The Yumeshima New Industry and Urban Creation Organisation will be the headquarters for the continuation of this arts festival.
Participation in ART FAIR BEPPU 2024
AUGUST 31, 2024I am pleased to announce that I will be participating as an exhibiting artist at Art Fair Beppu 2024, which will be held in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, from 21-24 September. Please see below for an overview. Tickets are required for admission.This year will be the second edition of the fair, which will be held in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, one of the world's leading hot spring resorts, visited by many tourists from home and abroad. Sixty-four up-and-coming artist groups, producing and presenting a diverse range of expressions from contemporary art to crafts, will gather in Beppu. Please take note of the diverse line-up.<Guest artists＞ Internationally active artists will be invited to Art Fair Beppu 2024 as guest artists.Toru Nakazaki (Exhibitor, Tour) Tatsu Nishino * (Exhibition, Tour) Hikaru Fujii (Exhibitor) In alphabetical order Exhibited works are available for purchase. Guest artists will not be present at the venue. Tatsu Nishino will be exhibiting during the tour.<Artists Agnes Yoshii / Hikari Asano / anno lab, Sakurako Nagano (anno lab) / Saori Abe / Shinpei Arima / Yuna Ichimura / Taiyo Ushijima / Yuzuru Ushino / Yuki Ohtsuki / Yukari Ohira / Ryosuke Owaki / Ayumi Okita / Electronica / KAIMON TEI / Masamitsu Katsu / Tachi Kato / Katsuhiro Kubo / Kuwahara Hinano / Natsumi Saito / Teppei Sako / Soma Sato / Salchod Il / System of Culture / Mao Shibata / Kazune Shintaku / Kazutaka Sugitani / Kohei Sekikawa / Marika Takanashi / Towa Takaya / Momo Takeuchi / Ai Tanaka / Chen Weichen / Tokyo Distinyland / Torihiko / Koutarou Nagai / Kosuke Nishimura / Nu Q / Satoto Nonoue / Himawari Harada / valo / Chie Higashi / Ryota Hirai / Yuri Fukuoka / Koutomi Furuya / Kyoka Hosokawa / Sunao Horikawa / Chihiro Hotta / Hiraki Maetani / Ai Saegusa / Masaya Mizuta / Yujiro Miyazaki / Akihiro Mukaiyama / Mineki Murata / Yuusuke Muroi / Ayaka Morikawa / Akane Morishita / Moe Yagi / Chisaki Yamaguchi / YUSHU / YORUDA / Rika Watanabe *50 notes In alphabetical orderThe exhibiting artists were selected by recommendation by the NPO BEPPU PROJECT, which directs the fair, or through an open call for entries.Outline of Art Fair Beppu 2024 Dates: 21 (Sat) - 24 (Tue) September 2024 Number of exhibitors: 64 Venue: Beppu International Tourist Port, former Ferry Sunflower terminal (9-1 Shiomi-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture) BEPPU STUDIO 01 (Zaimae Building 1F, 14-2 Kusu-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture) Kiyoshima Apartment (2-27 Suehiro-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture) Admission: ¥1,500 in advance / ¥2,000 at the door (sales will start in July). Organiser : Mixed Bathing World Executive CommitteeArt Fair Beppu 2024 official website
Appeared on TV program “The Night Before the Break - Artists of the Next Generation”
JUNE 02, 2024Takaya Towa appeared on TV program “The Night Before the Break - Artists of the Next Generation” broadcast on BS Fuji. The program introduces next-generation artists who will go on to become global artists every week, and broadcasts behind-the-scenes information about their work and their exhibitions. You can watch the video clips at the following page.
Won two awards at the National Calendar Exhibition (2024)
APRIL 23, 2024The 75th National Calendar Exhibition (2024) was held by Japan Federation of Printing Industries and Sankei Shimbun. Takaya Eien's calendar won the "Japan Federation of Printing Industries Chairman's Award" and the "Gold Award". You can check at the following page.