Yoshiaki Kaihatsu receives the Art Prize of the Japanese Minister of Culture!

Our gallery artist Yoshiaki Kaihatsu has been awarded the prestigious “Geijutsu Senshō Bunka-chō Daijin-shō” (Art Prize of the Japanese Minister of Culture, category: Contemporary Art). The award ceremony will take place on March 11.

Born in 1966 in Yamanashi, Kaihatsu’s artistic practice engages with everyday objects as well as current social issues. His works – including social sculptures, installations, and performances – are characterized by playful openness and a multilayered, interactive approach. His solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo last year was a great success.

The date of the award ceremony, March 11, is also a significant day in Japan. Following the Tōhoku earthquake of 2011, Kaihatsu took a more explicitly political stance and developed art projects and actions addressing the impact of the disaster on affected people and regions. These experiences continue to shape his work to this day.