Cray-Pas Masterpieces: Nostalgia and a Brilliant Future

Himeji City Museum of Art

Tomoko Konoike "Little Wild Things" (2015) Sakura Art Museum collection

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Introducing 154 works of cray-pas oil pastels by 116, artists including Taisho and Showa-era masters of Japanese art such as Ryuzaburo Umehara, Ryohei Koiso, and Taro Okamoto, as well as leading contemporary artists including Katsura Funakoshi, Tomoko Konoike, and Asuka Irie.

Cray-pas is the only Western-style art material developed in Japan. Its works created through a variety of techniques including coloring, rubbing, and scratching simultaneously invite feelings of nostalgia and a sense of future possibility in the power of expression. This exhibition presenting oil paintings by artists such as Ryohei Koiso and Taro Okamoto in addition to cray-pas works spotlights the unique and common traits of both media. Enjoy the remarkable originality of each artist in these masterpieces.