17 Award Recipients from 12 Universities in Japan and 3 Universities Overseas Participated
On November 12, the award ceremony for the 46th International TAKIFUJI Art Award was held at the Meiji Kinenkan in Minato-ku, Tokyo.
This year, we invited the domestic award recipients and their supervising professors, as well as some students and professors from overseas universities.
At the ceremony, TAKI Hisao, Director General of the Association, spoke on behalf of the organizer, stating: “The world is currently plagued by irrational violence, spreading division, conflict, and hatred. This is precisely why the importance of culture and art is growing. Art recognizes diversity and leads people toward coexistence, sharing, reconciliation, and solidarity. In this sense, art is a fortress of peace and an excellent form of security. Ms. AOKI Noe, a sculptor and one of the first recipients of this Award, said at an award ceremony several years ago, ‘Being an artist is not a profession, but a way of life.’ Indeed, you are embarking on the path of an artist as a way of life, and as the founder of this award, nothing would make me happier than if this award serves as a launchpad to open up new pathways for you.”
Right: Mr. MIYATA Ryohei, Director General, the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition
Representing the guests, Mr. MIYATA Ryohei, a jury for this award and Director General, the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition, offered a congratulatory address: “The TAKIFUJI Art Award, which is presented when students are in the midst of their graduation projects, feels like an encouragement—a push that tells you that you are capable of creating good work. It is also an award that connects bonds: students I taught have received it, and those students have become teachers whose own pupils are now recipients. Those of you who received the award today must not only create your own works but also nurture the cultural arts that will shape the next generation and the next era. I sincerely hope you will all strive for this.”
Following this, recipients of the Prize for Excellence and the Special Jury Prize were called to the podium one by one to receive their certificates and gifts from Director General TAKI. Furthermore, Mr. SATO Soma from Aichi University of the Arts, who was selected for the Grand Prize, and Ms. PARK Yuchae from Seoul National University in South Korea, who received the International Grand Prize (for overseas universities), were separately presented with their certificates and gifts.
Right: International Grand Prize for Ms. PARK Yuchae from Seoul National University, South Korea
Following the commemorative photo after the award ceremony, a seated reception was held. Mr. TANADA Koji, a sculptor and a jury for this award (also a recipient of the 13th TAKIFUJI Art Award, and a visiting professor at Musashino Art University and Kanazawa College of Art), stated: “The quality of your work is so high that it is comparable to that of established artists, and it is also very interesting to see the distinct characteristics of each country’s and region’s universities shining through. Many past recipients of this award have gone on to become representative artists of Japan. This means that you, too, are now among those with great expectations placed upon them. I hope you will present new perspectives to society and the world through your works.” He then raised a toast.
During the social hour, scenes from the previous day’s tour of the public art studio and public art works by past recipients, such as YANOBE Kenji, were shown on a screen. Each award-winning student spoke about the concept behind their awarded piece and their aspirations for the future, in front of the video of their work, receiving warm applause. Following this, three professors spoke on behalf of the supervising faculty.
Finally, Mr. OTSU Eibin, a Western-style painter and a member of the Japan Art Academy, concluded the event with a speech: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have seen the passionate and serious dedication of young people from around the world to art and culture today, to have heard their comments firsthand, and to have shared this wonderful time with the professors from various countries who are educating these young students. Thank you very much.”
Center: Mr. SHIN Ha-Soon, Professor, Seoul National University
Right: Mr. Adrian HOLME, Professor, University of the Arts London
The day before, the students and the teachers participated in the tour to the CREARE Atami-Yugawara Studio (Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture). In the Atelier, the group was explained by the staff how the public art of stained glass and ceramic relief was created. Afterward the group themselves had a workshop using the ceramic and stained glass and their artworks were displayed during the party.
Right: Getting a lecture on stained glass manufacturing at the studio
Right: In the workshop, artwork will be created with ceramic plates and antique glass pieces
