The Next Generation

How do these contemporary artists explore Japanese culture today?

September 2024

Researched and written by Lauren Vespoli

Takashi Murakami founded his gallery and studio, Kaikai Kiki, in 2001. Since then, the gallery has helped launch the careers of many Japanese artists who are now influential in their own right. “Art is a long journey with no end in sight,” the gallery’s website states. “We are happy to support each other as we walk this long and difficult path together.”

Takashi Murakami founded his company, Kaikai Kiki, in 2001. Since then, it has helped launch the careers of many important Japanese artists. The company’s website explains, “Art is a journey with no end in sight. We are happy to support each other as we walk this long and difficult path together."

Strange City

Chiho Aoshima (chee-hoh a-oh-shee-mah) got her start working at an advertising firm. She learned Adobe Illustrator, using the program to doodle in her spare time. Aoshima’s surreal landscapes are humorous yet dark. In works like her 2005 City Glow, above, she explores relationships between nature and technology. In the digital print, anthropomorphic skyscrapers suggest a strange, futuristic city. “Humankind thinks nature precious, but it is difficult for humankind and nature to coexist,” Aoshima explains. “I represented these two souls that cannot understand each other.”

Chiho Aoshima (chee-hoh a-oh-shee-mah) started out experimenting with a digital drawing tool at her advertising job. Today she makes surreal—dreamlike—landscapes. In her 2005 City Glow, above, Aoshima explores nature and technology. Her skyscrapers have faces, making them look almost like people. Aoshima says, “Humankind thinks nature is precious, but it is difficult for humankind and nature to coexist. I represented these two souls that cannot understand each other.”

Star’s Assistant

Before Mr. became a prominent Japanese painter, he worked with Murakami as a studio assistant at Kaikai Kiki. Manga and anime inspire Mr., and much like his mentor, he combines high and low art forms. In 2011, following an earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan, Mr.’s work took on a grittier quality. In his 2016 Tomorrow Evening, above, he juxtaposes wide-eyed kawaii figures in the foreground with graffiti-like imagery in the background. What questions does Mr. pose about destruction and contemporary culture?

Japanese painter Mr. was once an assistant to Murakami at Kaikai Kiki. Like Murakami, Mr. is interested in anime and blends high and low art. His 2016 Tomorrow Evening, above, includes kawaii, or cute, characters in the foreground and graffiti in the background. What questions does Mr. ask about modern culture?

Sculpting From the Past

Shigeru Otani (shee-ghe-roo oh-tan-ee) grew up in a region of Japan that is famous for its rich history of ceramics. He founded Otani Workshop, where he works alone making sculptures and paintings. Japanese history and culture—especially kawaii— inspires Otani. His works feature children and toylike animals, as in his 2021 Sleeping Children Tower, above. He’s also interested in historical objects. “When I look at an ancient pot . . . the form of [it] could be simple,” he says. “But I never tire of admiring the soft curves, textures, and the complexity of the colors.” Do the stacked faces in this example remind you of pots balancing on top of one another?

Shigeru Otani (shee-ghe-roo on-tan-ee) grew up in a Japanese region known for its long history of ceramics. Otani says, “When I look at an ancient pot…the form of it could be simple, but I never tire of admiring the soft curves, textures, and complexity of the colors.” He opened Otani Workshop, a space to sculpt and paint. Otani thinks about Japanese history and culture, especially kawaii, as he works. He often represents kids and animals, like in his 2021 Sleeping Children Tower, above. What do the stacked faces remind you of?