GO YAYANAGI

Born in Hokkaido, Go Yayanagi’s artistic pursuits were deeply influenced by his daily interaction and studies of animals, birds, and fish. After completing his studies at university, Yayanagi embarked on a two-year journey through the Mediterranean and Brazil, engaging in various creative activities. In the late 1960s, he further developed his skills at Atelier 17 in Paris, where he apprenticed under the venerable Stanley William Hayter. This experience allowed him to master the art of etching and lithography, laying the foundation for his paintings in the 1970s and 1980s, which incorporated similar elements of composition and colour. Inspired by his Japanese heritage and extensive travels, Yayanagi’s vibrant creations represent a captivating fusion of wildlife patterns and cultural nuances.

Yayanagi coined the term ‘Pop-Uki’, which combines ‘Pop Art’ and ‘Ukiyo-e’ to describe his unique style of paintings and prints. His works are characterised by clean, refined black lines and vibrant colours. Yayanagi views Ukiyo-e as a traditional form of Japanese Pop Art and aims to incorporate contemporary pop culture and personal experiences into this traditional medium, employing a fresh aesthetic approach. His artworks have been featured in various exhibitions, including the 11th St. Paul Biennial (1957), the 2nd Frenchen International Print Biennial (1972), and the 5th British International Print Biennial (1976).

Ocean... till Now No.3

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Getting Started at Age 89 | Go Yayanagi "Hop Step Jump" Solo Exhibition Interview

July 15, 2022
Tokyo, Japan

Interview with Artist Go Yayanagi | "Hop Step Jump" Solo Exhibition

June 27, 2022
Tokyo, Japan

GO YAYANAGI: Earth. Family

HK H Queen’s 7-8/F
March 27 - May 8, 2021

GO YAYANAGI: POP UKI

Taipei ZhongXiao
June 23 - July 22, 2018

GO YAYANAGI: CHALLENGE, RIGHT NOW! MOVE FORWARD!

Ginza New Gallery
May 11 - June 3, 2018

GO YAYANAGI: The New Encounter is Art!

HK Hollywood Road
May 26 - June 25, 2017

RECENT EXHIBITIONS

2021: GO YAYANAGI Solo Exhibition, From the 50's to the Latest Works, NEW ART LAB, Tokyo, Japan
Earth. Family 2021, Whitestone Gallery, Hong Kong
2018: GO YAYANAGI: POP UKI, Whitestone Gallery, Taipei
Go Yayanagi: Challenge, Right Now! Move Forward, Whitestone Gallery, Tokyo Ginza New Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2017: Go Yayanagi: The New Encounter is Art!, Whitestone Gallery, Hong Kong
2014: OPA! A Cheerful Revelation – Junko Koshino + Go Yayanagi, Instituto Tomie Ohtake, Sāo Paulo, Brazil
2013: Micro Salon 2013: Beijing Tokyo Art Project, Beijing, China
2010: Junko Koshino + Go Yayanagi: Genre Crossing, Beijing Tokyo Art Project, Beijing, China

COLLECTIONS

Pompidou Centre, Paris; The National Library of France, Paris; The Museum of Modern Art of Sāo Paulo, Sāo Paulo, The Rockefeller Foundation, New York; The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles; The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka; Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts, Tochigi; Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo; Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, Hokkaido; Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art, Hokkaido; Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo; Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Hyogo; Ikeda Museum of 20th Century Art, Shizuoka; etc.