Takaoki TAJIMA

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Biograhy
CV
Artworks
Exhibitions

Biograhy

Since ancient times, Japan has intertwined the use of wood throughout its society, and images of Shinto deities and Buddhist figures have likewise been expressed in a variety of ways which have also evolved from era to era.
The Buddhist sculptors (busshi) who created those images did so in accordance with the locations and faiths in which the deities and figures were enshrined, whether that be in a human form or in a non-representational form. Born as the 5th generation descendent of a family of sculptors who have maintained a lineage of Buddhist sculptors, Takaoki TAJIMA grew up surrounded by sculptures of Shinto deities and Buddhist figures from all ages.
To TAJIMA, the ability to produce artwork in a diverse range of styles is second nature. While others may perceive great differences between a proportional statue of a woman and a cute non-representational statue, he perceives both as embodying a type of presence that is invisible to the naked eye.
While the gaze of the statue of the proportional woman seems strong but unfocused, and gives the viewer the impression of a merciful presence not unlike that of Samantabhadra, the non-representational statue provides the viewer with the impression of a presence similar to that of the ubiquitous gods in the Shinto belief system, a concept with which Japanese viewers are quite familiar.
These presences—invisible, beyond description and unknown—are universal, regardless of the era, and should continue to be heeded irrespective of the pressures of modern society.

Biograhy

CV

1973　Born in Chiba Prefecture
2000　Graduated from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, Department of Sculpture

■Selected Solo Exhibitions

2020　""RUBATO"" - gallery UG Tennoz, Tokyo, Japan
2020　"Flower, Storm, and Sculpture" - The Nippon Club, New York
2019　"Why did he carve this? - Daikanyama Tsutaya, Tokyo, Japan
2018　"Flowers, Storms and Sculpture" - Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, Japan
2014　"Longing for Sculpture" - GALLERIE SOL, Tokyo, Japan
2012　Solo Exhibition - Gallery OPPO, Tokyo, Japan
2011　Solo Exhibition - Art Gallery Omon Matento, Toride, Japan
2008　Solo Exhibition - Funabashi Andersen Park Children's Museum, Chiba, Japan
2005　Solo Exhibition - Gallery Okabe, Tokyo, Japan

■Major Group Exhibitions

2020　""KIRINJI 2020"" - gallery UG Tennoz, Tokyo, Japan
2020　""laissez-faire"" - gallery UG Tennoz, Tokyo, Japan
2020　"Ame no Chichi Harare no Hi" ART colors Vol.33 Summer Exhibition - Park Hotel Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
2020　Palm Exhibition - Daimaru Sapporo, Sapporo, Japan
2020　""Spring has come-"" ART colors Vol. 32 Spring Exhibition - Park Hotel Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
2020　"WOOD SCULPTURE" - gallery UG Bakurocho, Tokyo, Japan
2020　VOLTA NEW YORK - The Metropolitan West, New York
2020　ONE ART TAIPEI - The Sherwood Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
2019　Palm Exhibition - gallery UG, Tokyo
2018　New Work Exhibition - The National Art Center, Tokyo, Japan
2018　Bird Love Watch - RISE GALLERY DESIGN STORE, Tokyo, Japan
2018　Sculpture Animal Park - Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Tokyo, Japan
2018　Walking Association Sculpture Exhibition - Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art, Chiba, Japan
2018　Art Festival in Morinomiyako - Mitsukoshi Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
2018　Three-Dimensional to Two-Dimensional Exhibition - GALERIE SOL, Ginza, Tokyo
2017　Happy New Year Exhibition of Chinese Zodiac Sculptures - Nihombashi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, Japan
2017　Year End Exhibition Of Mini Sculptures - Gallery Seiho, Ginza, Tokyo
2017　New Work Exhibition - The National Art Center, Tokyo, Japan
2017　Mitsukoshi Art Cube - Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Tokyo, Japan
2017　Walking Association Sculpture Exhibition - Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art, Chiba, Japan
2017　Sculpture Animal Park - Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Tokyo, Japan
2017　Nakameguro Art Cherry Blossom Viewing Party "Sakura Pink" - MDP GALLERY, Tokyo, Japan
2017　New Work Exhibition Awarded Artist Exhibition - Gallery Seiho, Ginza, Tokyo
2016　Year End Exhibition Of Mini Sculptures - Gallery Seiho, Ginza, Tokyo
2016　Art Of Giving Exhibition - MDP GALLERY, Tokyo
2016　4Artists Exhibition "Sculpture - People, Animals, Plants" - Art Gallery Gekkeju, Saitama, Japan
2016　New Work Exhibition - New Artist Award
2016　The 44th Ayukai Sculpture Exhibition - Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art, Chiba, Japan
2015　Year End Exhibition Of Mini Sculptures - Gallery Seiho, Ginza, Tokyo
2015　New Work Exhibition - The National Art Center, Tokyo, Japan
2015　Minuscule Exhibition - GALERIE SOL, Ginza, Tokyo
2015　UTSUWA Exhibition - GALERIE SOL, Ginza, Tokyo
2015　New Works Exhibition by Awarded Artists - Gallery Seiho, Ginza, Tokyo

■Awards

2017　Recommended as a member of Shinseisaku Kyokai
2016　Shinseisaku Exhibition, New Artist Award
2014　New Creation Exhibition, New Artist Award