Having ventured solo into the lush, deep forests of Yakushima for inspiration, Futagawa immersed himself in nature, using his senses to feel the wetness of the rain and the wind's speed to harmonize with the environment. His delicate brushstrokes capture the subtle dance between human beings and nature, while the radiant luster of mineral pigments infuses the paintings with spirituality and mystery. Balancing intense realism with an expression of the ineffable spiritual essence inherent in nature, Futagawa elevates reality into a luminous spiritual panorama.


KAZUYUKI FUTAGAWA: With Nature
Beijing
2023.12.09 – 2024.01.13
Kazuyuki Futagawa specializes in traditional Japanese painting, and in his early years, he was influenced by some famous Japanese painters, such as Kawai Gyokudō (1873-1957), focusing on the relationship between human beings and nature. While inheriting the long history and techniques of Japanese painting, his works integrate the depth of Western light and shadow changes, possess a sense of perspective and gradation, and emerge with a unique transcendental temperament.


Humans have often echoed their aspirations many times with said phrase, ‘harmony and coexistence.’ Nature, a silent observer, has witnessed our actions.
In this solo exhibition, each painting hides the nuanced narrative of ‘harmony and coexistence’ shared between humanity and nature. Let us embark on a journey towards a sustainable future.


In recent years, Futagawa has skillfully woven the silhouette of portraits into his landscape works. The people in his paintings become ephemeral passersby of nature, surrounded by blooming flowers and plants, lost amid grasslands and jungles. Their portrayal resembles the double exposure effect in film photography, imparting a rich, multidimensional depth to the two-dimensional world of his art. As one gazes at the artwork, a gradual merging occurs between the viewer and the characters, blurring the lines of reality. In this moment, one loses a sense of place, responding only with hushed breath to the profound silence, meeting the distant gaze of a small figure, and relishing in the subtle emotions captured. We invite you to immerse yourself in this harmonious coexistence with nature, cultivating a serene sanctuary amid the jungle and the stream.
ABOUT

KAZUYUKI FUTAGAWA
KAZUYUKI FUTAGAWA
Kazuyuki Futagawa was born in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. During his high school years, he developed a strong desire to pursue a career in painting. Therefore, upon completing high school, he enrolled at Kanazawa College of Art, where he studied nihonga (traditional Japanese painting). Following this, he continued his studies at the Tokyo University of the Arts, where he delved deeper into the art of nihonga, which emphasizes painting natural landscapes, animals, and plants. During his time at the university, he was exposed to the works of celebrated Japanese painting masters like Kawai Gyokudō (1873-1957), who greatly inspired him to explore the connection between humankind and the natural world in his artistic expression.
While inheriting Japanese painting techniques, he uses mineral pigments to paint carefully. He believes that only the use of mineral pigments can truly present the beauty of nature. In recent years, new elements have appeared in Futagawa's paintings. Silhouettes of human figures integrate into his landscape picture as if they are visitors to the natural scenery. They are surrounded by blossoms and greenery and got lost in the wildwood. It is the vastness of nature that reflects the frailty of human beings. Human beings should stay awed and humble towards nature. Futagawa published a series of works centered upon such motifs while he traveled to the prefectures within Japan to further research their history through historical site visits, and painted the scenery that captures his experience. His painting resembles a double exposure in film photography. It records this ever-changing scenery while depicting one’s inner peace. Futagawa's works present a sense of surrealism that exceeds traditional Japanese paintings. He has constructed a new form of realistic painting. The artist wishes one could appreciate the magnificent landscapes in Japan and the beauty of mineral pigment.


2023.12.09 – 2024.01.13
BEIJING
Tel: +86 10 59920796
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 18:00
Closed: Sunday, Monday