Kiyo Hasegawa | Artist

The natural landscape is a canvas vulnerable to factors such as climate, natural disasters, and human activity. Its surface is under constant transformation, which alters people's perception of being, and shapes their way of living. As Kakuzo Okakura notes in The Book of Tea: “The present is the moving infinity, the legitimate sphere of the relative. Relativity seeks adjustment. Adjustment is art. The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.”

Kiyo Hasegawa employs transcience to explore the landscape of her own mind. She imbues each brush stroke with a sense of freedom and spirit giving each of her creations unique vitality. Hasegawa’s paintings reflect relationships between nature and people. Her works embody humid environments that over centuries have influenced and formed the present coexistence of spiritual and mystical practices in Japan.

Using traditional mineral pigments and handmade paper, Hasegawa skillfully integrates blank spaces into her work as deliberate voids. Daisetz T. Suzuki refers to emptiness as often mistaken for sheer nothingness whilst in fact it is a reservoir of infinite possibilities. Through such potent voids, Hasegawa’s paintings invite the viewer to step into her visual flow, immersing them in the aura of her sacred world.

Biography

1984　Born in Tokyo, Japan

2009　BFA in Japanese Paintings / Tama Art university

2009　Exchange program in Fine Arts / Aalto University

2011　MFA in Japanese Paintings / Tama Art university

2011　Assistant of Japanese Painting Department, Tama Art University (-2015)

2021-  Part-time lecturer, Tama Art University

Awards

2007　Reicof Art Award 2007 Encouragement Prize

2008　7th “Sesshu-no-sato” Soja Sumi Painting Award

2013　Grant awarded by The Great Britain Sasagawa Foundation (“KEHAI” ICN SPACE)

2017　Nominated for the 9th Koji Kinutani Prize

Solo Exhibitions

2010　“Within Beauty” Aralis Gallery Helsinki, Finland

2011　“Kiyo Hasegawa Exhibition” Gallery Natsuka, Tokyo

2012　“Kiyo Hasegawa Exhibition” Galleria grafica bis, Tokyo

2013　“KEHAI” ICN SPACE, London, UK　

2013　“Kiyo Hasegawa Exhibition” Galleria grafica bis, Tokyo

2013　“Kiyo Hasegawa Exhibition” Galleria grafica bis, Tokyo

2014　“To the shrine grove” Fujiya Gallery, Tokyo

2015　“Memories of ice” Fujiya Gallery, Tokyo

2015　“Kiyo Hasegawa Exhibition” Ichiharu Gallery, Kyoto

2016　“Kiyo Hasegawa Exhibition” Toho Art, Tokyo

2019　“Kiyo Hasegawa Exhibition” Fujiya Gallery, Tokyo

Group Exhibitions

2008　“flow” Omotesando Gallery, Tokyo

2010　“Rashinban Selection 2010” Art Space Rashinban, Tokyo

2010　“NIHONGA-HANGA Exhibition” Sato Art Museum, Tokyo

2013　“I was you. You will be me.” Akibatamabi21, Tokyo

2013　“On paper 2013 -Paper and Nature-” Tama Art University Museum, Tokyo

2015　“Ume-niwa-ten” Ichiharu Gallery, Kyoto

2016　“META -real-” Kanagawa Prefectual Gallery, Kanagawa

2016　“Art Fair Tokyo” Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo

2016　“Sora-no-iro, Chi-no-iro” Ichiharu Gallery, Kyoto

2017　“New works by emerging artists” Ichiharu Gallery, Kyoto

2018　“La Primavera” Nihonbashi Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo

2018　“Painting with Sumi” Art Space Rashinban, Tokyo

2018　“Inspiring Tunisia” Co-hosted by the Rupublic of Tunisia Embassy and Chiyoda Ward Office, Tokyo

2018　“Rose Festa” Yokohama Takashimaya Art Gallery, Kanagawa

2018　“Blue Collection” Tokyu Tama-plaza, Kanagawa

2018　“Rou Shi -The road leading to Tao-” Ichiharu Gallery, Kyoto

2019　“La Primavera” Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka

2019　“Nihonga Now” Masterpiece London 2019, London, UK

2020　“OPENING CEREMONY” A Lighthouse called Kanata, Tokyo

2021　“NIHONGA RENAISSANCE” A Lighthouse called Kanata, Tokyo

2021　“ART021” Shanghai Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China

2021　“Untitled Art Miami Beach” Miami, USA

2022　“Art Fair Tokyo” Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo  '21

2022　“A Lighthouse called Kanata NewYork Pop-up” High Line Nine Gallery, USA

2022　“Masterpiece London” London, UK

2022　“Seattle Art Fair” Lumen Field Event Center, Seattle, USA

2022　“The Future Eternal” A Lighthouse called Kanata, Tokyo

2022　“WEST BUND Art & Design” West Bund Art Center, Shanghai, China  '20  '21

2022　“Art Miami” One Herald Plaza, USA  '19

2023　“ART SG” Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore

2023　“TEFAF Maastricht” MECC Maastricht Forum, Netherlands  '20  '22

Collection

Luciano Benetton Collection​

Palace Hotel Tokyo

Interviews

2022   The New York Times

2020   The Japan Periodical

2017   METAL Magazine