Wataru Yamakami>Totem 02
- Totem 02, 2018
- Oil on canvas
100 x 80.4 x 3 cm
Wataru Yamakami
Biography
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Born in 1981 in Kochi, Japan, Wataru Yamakami began painting graffiti on the streets in Tokyo at the age of 16, afterwards he spent four years hitchhiking around Japan, Thailand, India and South America while creating artwork. In India he spent one year studying religion and rituals in different places. During traveling around Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, he became interested in shamanism. Encounters with shamans, indigenous peoples and hippies became his inspiration. He held his first solo exhibition in Cusco, Peru.
He won Special Award, The 12th Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art in 2009, and Runner-up Prize and Audience Award, Tokyo Midtown Award in 2013. In 2019, he received a grant from the Agency for Cultural Affairs for Upcoming Artists and stayed in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Heri Dono, an artist representing Indonesia was his host. In 2020 his solo exhibition was held at the space, Studio Karahan established by Heri Dono.
In 2022, he held a solo exhibition “World of the world – Gathering wind, to send off into the sky” at the Nizayama Forest Art Museum, Toyama in Japan which is a former hydroelectric power plant. He presented an installation of 7m x 12m huge painting moved by the wind. - Solo Exhibitions:
- 2022
- World of the World – Gathering wind, to send off into the sky, Nizayama Forest Art Museum, Toyama, Japan
- 2021
- World of the world - Under constellation 2021, SYP Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- 2020
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World of the world - Under constellation, Studio Kalahan (Founded by Heri Dono), Yogyakarta, Indonesia
World of the world - The world began without human beings and would end without humanity, Japan Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia - 2015
- Biomorphic form and dot to grow, Yokogawa-souen, Hiroshima, Japan
- 2014
- Drawing Works, Nagne, Tokyo, Japan
- 2013
- NEW WORLD, Masumi-Matsunoma, Nagano, Japan
- 2011
- Eden, Maki Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan
- 2008
- Ushiro no Syomen, 8 Link Studio, Omachi, Nagano, Japan
- 2001
- Solo Show, Casa de Barro, Cusco, Peru
- Group Exhibitions:
- 2021
- Overview vol.2, SYP Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- 2020
- Overview vol.1, SYP Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- 2019
- Group show, Pierre-Yves Caër Gallery, Paris, France
- 2018
- Shinbism 2, Maruyama Banka Memorial Museum, Nagano, Japan
- 2017
- Seeds of Memory, Langgeng Art Foundation, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- 2016
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spiritual imagination, LIXIL Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
The Pathos of Things, Kyodo House, Tokyo, Japan - 2014
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THE MIRROR, Nagoya-Syoukoukaikan, Tokyo, Japan
Riyoo Kim × Wataru Yamakami Exhibitions Magic Real, Maki Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan
MID TOWN Street Museum, Tokyo Midtown, Tokyo, Japan
Roppongi Art Night, Tokyo Midtown, Tokyo, Japan
metamorphosis 2014, Hachijuni Cultural Foundation Space 82, Nagano, Japan - 2013
- TOKYO MIDTOWN AWARD 2013, Tokyo Midtown,Tokyo, Japan
- 2012
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ART SYNCHRONICITY, Creative Hub 131, Tokyo, Japan
NAGANO NEW CONSEPTUS, Shiga Kougen Roman Museum, Nagano, Japan
DAN T EA2012 ~ DESIGNTIDE>CHANOYUSIDE ~, Shinjyuku Isetan, Tokyo, Japan - 2011
- metamorphosis, Hachijuni Cultural Foundation Space 82, Nagano, Japan
- 2010
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Globe show 2009, 8 Link Studio, Nagano, Japan
Japanese Inspired Exhibit, Mendocino Art Center, California, USA
Primitive Sense Art Exhibition of Lakeside, Asagura, Nagano, Japan - 2009
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The 12th Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Exhibition, Taro Okamoto Museum of Art, Kawasaki, Japan
Group show 2009, 8 Link Studio, Omachi, Nagano, Japan
Echigo Tsumari Art Triennial, Kamaboko Gallery, Matsudai, Niigata, Japan - 2008
- Group show 2008, 8 Link Studio, Omachi, Nagano, Japan
- 2001
- Two Persons Show, Capilla de San Bernardo, Cusco, Peru
- Awards:
- 2013
- Runner-up Prize and Audience Award, Tokyo Midtown Award, Japan
- 2009
- Special Award, The 12th Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art, Japan
- Grants:
- 2019
- Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan. One year stay in Indonesia
- Public Collections:
- Langgeng Art Foundation, Indonesia