CONTEMPORARY ARTIST (現代アート作家)
nAo OKAMOTO

【BIOGRAPHY】

-プロフィール-

1981年、兵庫県西宮市生まれ。

学生時代には映像制作を専攻。MV・ショートフィルムなど様々な映像制作を手掛ける。

2004年、ニューヨークに単身渡米。現地で触れたアートに感銘を受け、独学でアート・デザインを学ぶ。その中で独自の技法"Bubble Art"(バブルアート)を確立。一方で、映像制作にも引き続き携わり、2010年にはフィラデルフィア美術館でのアート動画パフォーマンスをした経験を持つ。

2011年、帰国。その後日本をベースに活動している。

[ Bubble Art ]

造語。出発点となった作品「Bubbles」は子どもの夢をシャボン玉で表現。これがトリガーとなり、「Bubble」であり「〇」の世界を掘り下げ、押し広げる活動を開始。

-コンセプト-

まるで泡のように互いに見えない繋がりで結び合い影響し合っている万象の、その見えない繋がりを自然の要素を取り入れることにより可視化し、意図を超えた美しさを生み出す"Bubble Art"。

"Bubble"という円形は、予測不能な偶然と自然の法則が交錯する瞬間を捉えている。目に見えない繋がりこそが美の源であり、偶然と必然が相互に補完し合うことを表現している。また、全て手作業にこだわり、唯一無二の作品を紡ぎ出す。 

独自の視点を加えたタイムレスな作品は媒体を問わない。様々なストーリーやシンボル、立体造形とシームレスにコラボレートし、既存概念を飛び越え、鑑賞者との間にユニークな空間を創出する。

-技法-

アクリル絵具の表面張力と乾燥による収縮を利用し、キャンバスに浮かび上がるBubbleを作り出す作業を積み重ねる。具体的には絵具をキャンバスに置き、時間経過とともに外側から内側に向かって乾燥していく過程でバブルが形成された後、流水や拭き取りによってBubbleを強調することができる技法。立体感が出せる描画特徴から、光の当たり方によって表情が一変し、抽象・具象を問わず幅広い相形を生み出す。

CONTEMPORARY ARTIST
nAo OKAMOTO

【BIOGRAPHY】

-PROFILE-

Born in 1981 in Kobe, Japan

Embarked on a journey of creativity, majored in film production as a student digging into the creation of music videos and short films. In 2004, ventured solo to New York City.  Immersed in its art scene, ignited his passion for self-taught exploration in art and design which led him to forge the signature technique, "Bubble Art," a fusion of innovation and expression.

nAo continued his engagement with the film production, culminating in an art video performance at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2010.  Returned to his homeland in 2011, where he has since anchored his creative endeavors.

With a spirit fueled by cross-disciplinary exploration and a relentless pursuit of innovation, he continues to weave his artistic narrative, blending the realms of visual storytelling and aesthetic invention.

What is Bubble Art?

Originated with "Bubbles," his first work that captured the dream of childhood through soap bubbles. This served as the catalyst, triggering his exploration of the vast "Bubble" world, delving deeper and expanding its boundaries.

-CONCEPT-

The concept revolves around Bubble Art, where the unseen affiliations and significances among all phenomena are likened to bubbles interlinking invisibly. By integrating elements of nature, they visualize these invisible connections, giving rise to a beauty that surpasses intention.

The circular form of "Bubble" captures moments where unpredictable chance and the laws of nature intersect. It represents how unseen connections are the wellspring of beauty, with randomness and necessity complementing each other.

Each piece is meticulously handcrafted, resulting in a unique and exceptional form. Works that are seamless yet timeless, imbued with a distinct perspective, transcend mediums. Collaborating impeccably with various narratives, symbols, and objects, they eclipse conventional boundaries, uniquely engaging with the audience.

-METHOD-

The technique uses the surface tension and shrinkage of acrylic paint as it dries to create bubbles on a canvas. The process involves placing the paint on the canvas and letting it dry over time. During drying, bubbles form from the outer edges towards the center. Once the bubbles are formed, they can be highlighted by washing or wiping the surface.

This unique technique creates a three-dimensional effect whose appearance changes dramatically with different lighting, revealing a wide range of shapes, both abstract and realistic. This method allows for diverse and dynamic visual expressions, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.

-活動歴-

-個展-

2022-2024 (Tokyo) gallery201 SOLO exhibition
2023 (Tokyo) ALL DAY GALLERY SOLO Exhibition
2013-2023 (Kobe) WORLD TIMES SOLO Exhibition
2023 (Tokyo) Gallery Dalston SOLO Exhibition  

2022 (Himeji) STUDIO HORI SOLO Exhibition

2021 (Mie) ART SPACE IGA SOLO Exhibition

2020 (Osaka) SOLO Exhibition LIVE PAINT at SWAMP501
2017 (Kobe) KOBE PORT 150 ANNIVERSARY RELATED EVENTS LIVE PAINT
2014 (New York) OUCHI GALLERY SOLO Exhibition
2014 (Kobe) Abiesfirma SOLO Exhibition

-グループ展-

2024 (Osaka) THE Art Room at CUCIN

2024 (Osaka) ブレイク前夜展

2024 (Tokyo) ブレイク前夜展

2024 (Tokyo) TATSUNOKO BEYOND タツノコプロ × AKIBA EDEN

2022-2023 (Tokyo) Independent Tokyo

2022 (Osaka) UNKNOWN ASIA 2022

2022 (Tokyo) 第10回 躍動する現代作家展 at 国立新美術館

2020 (Tokyo Ginza) 銀座画廊 美の起原展 奨励賞受賞展

2017 (Tokyo Ginza) SOEI GALLERY GROUP Exhibition

2016 (Hong Kong) ASIA CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW in HONG KONG

2016 (Thailand) JAPAN Expo in Thailand 2016

2015-2016 (Nara) NARA Wood School Museum of Art Exhibition

2011 (New York) OUCHI GALLERY 100 Artists

-受賞歴-

(Japan) Independent Tokyo 2023 審査員特別賞　松橋惠子賞(MU GALLERY)

(Japan) 第10回　躍動する現代作家展 410Gallery賞

(Japan) 銀座画廊 美の起原展2020/2021 入賞

(Japan) 銀座画廊 美の起原展2019 奨励賞

(Japan) loftwork mobile wallpaper contest MDN AWARD(Grand prize)

(New York) ZANK&MARS in NY AWARD The 7th 100 Artists Exhibition 2ND Prize

メディア

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