About the style of “Chihiro Iwasaki” and his teacher Yasushi Nakatani

<Chihiro Iwasaki “Sunflower and Baby” 1971 Chihiro Art Museum collection>

The figures of children and flowers are depicted in blurred colors. The bright, sweet, and soft world of paintings drawn by Chihiro Iwasaki continues to be loved by people regardless of country, generation, or gender.

Before Chihiro Iwasaki began his career as a picture book artist, in the early 1940s, when he was in a period of exploration, he had an encounter with a certain painter. His name is Tai Nakatani, a native of MatsusakaCity City, Mie Prefecture. ``Chihiro Iwasaki'' was inspired by Nakatani's work and received instruction in oil painting under Nakatani. Their artistic activities were forced to halt due to the war, but after the war Chihiro Iwasaki expanded his range of activities as a children's painter and Yasushi Nakatani as a Western painter.

The "Iwasaki Chihiro Exhibition" being held at the Mie Prefectural Museum of Art from July 16th (Saturday) to August 28th (Sunday), 2022 will feature two people who have not been well-known until now, ``with Yasushi Nakatani as their teacher.'' The exchange is introduced through approximately 110 original picture books, oil paintings, and drawings by Chihiro Iwasaki, approximately 40 oil paintings and drawings by Yasushi Nakatani, and approximately 20 related materials.

 

I actually went to see the “Iwasaki Chihiro Exhibition”!

I went to see the ``Iwasaki Chihiro Exhibition'' being held at the Mie Prefectural Museum of Art while listening to a special talk from the curator. I will report on each chapter that is actually on display, focusing on Chihiro Iwasaki's works.

*With special permission, we are allowed to photograph the works actually on display. Please be careful if you would like to see the actual work in person.

*Please note that this contains the writer's impressions.

 

Prologue: Each Tokyo

What is introduced here is before the two met directly. It seems that they spent their time in Tokyo honing their respective sensibilities.

Here, Chihiro Iwasaki's childhood photographs and Yasushi Nakatani's ``self-portraits'' and ``portraits of women'' are on display.

From left: <Yasu Nakatani "Woman's Portrait" 1932> <Yasu Nakatani "Self-portrait" 1931>

 

Chapter 1: Meeting with my mentor Yasushi Nakatani

It seems unclear at this time when Chihiro Iwasaki and Yasushi Nakatani met. However, it is speculated that around the fall of 1941, an acquaintance of his, Chihiro Iwasaki, served as a model for his paintings.

It is said that Chihiro Iwasaki was the model for the ``Female Statue'' exhibited by Yasushi Nakatani at the 20th Shunyokai Exhibition in 1942.

<Yasu Nakatani "Woman Statue" 1942>

Also, the ``Dianthus and Thistle'' on display here is said to be the only oil painting by Chihiro Iwasaki from before and during the war that has been confirmed. (because it was burnt out).

The two-dimensional way flowers and leaves are drawn is said to be the same in Yasushi Nakatani's ``Bathing Bath'' and ``Farmers,'' which are on display, so it might be interesting to compare them. .

<Chihiro Iwasaki “Dianthus and Thistle” early 1940s, Chihiro Art Museum collection>

 

Chapter 2: A fresh start after the war

Yasushi Nakatani resumed exhibiting his works in the year following the end of the war, and Chihiro Iwasaki moved to Tokyo from Matsumoto, where he was evacuated, to study painting and also wrote articles and illustrations as a reporter for a newspaper company.

Many of Chihiro Iwasaki's illustrations are on display.

By the way, it was around this time that Chihiro Wasaki joined the Japan Children's Picture Association and created the picture-story show "Mom's Story," which was later published and won the Minister of Education Award.

 

 

Chapter 3: Looking at society/family

Chihiro Iwasaki got married and gave birth to his first son. Driven by his boundless love for his family, he works for newspapers and magazines while also producing oil paintings. Yasushi Nakatani also got married and became the father of two sons and a daughter, and the children and mother and child appear in the story.

This chapter is an exhibition that shows the deep love these two people have for their families.

<Chihiro Iwasaki "Children" 1962 Chihiro Art Museum Collection>

 

Chapter 4: Spread of color, rhythm of lines

Chihiro Iwasaki's style has already featured images of children and parents and children as motifs, but here he focuses on changes in color and line.

On display are children's paintings from fairy tales such as ``Tsuru no Ongaeshi'' and ``The Little Match Girl,'' which feel nostalgic when seen somewhere else, as well as original illustrations by Yasushi Nakatani.

 

I've seen it before! There may be many people who think so.

 

Chapter 5: Seeing the world through travel

In the 1960s, Chihiro Iwasaki traveled to the former Soviet Union and Europe. It is said that this journey to experience the ``world'' led to Andersen's desire to create a picture book called ``Picture Books Without Pictures.''

After that, he continued to depict children in his paintings, wishing that peace and happiness would come to children all over the world.

 

Chapter 6: Chihiro's World/The World of Picture Books

Everyone has seen Chihiro Iwasaki's picture book at least once, and it feels nostalgic. Among them, Shikosha's picture books, starting with ``Amenohinoorusuban'', are said to be an ambitious series created using bolder brush strokes and paint smears than ever before!

When you look at the painting, you can tell it's Chihiro Iwasaki from the smears of paint and the unique soft colors.

<Chihiro Iwasaki "Child hugging mother" 1968 Chihiro Art Museum collection>

This is a space where both adults and children can feel a sense of kindness.

From left: <Chihiro Iwasaki "Boy with a Red Hat", 1971, Chihiro Museum of Art collection> <Chihiro Iwasaki "Five Peas", 1973, Chihiro Art Museum collection>

 

Extra edition: Both adults and children can play in Chihiro's drawings!

There is also a mechanism where you can actually experience Chihiro Iwasaki's world view!

``Paint Footprints'' is an experiential art that uses your body to create ``smudges.''

Children are fascinated by the blurred footprints that spread across the canvas every time they walk!

 

This is "Children in Paintings," an experiential art that uses the body to draw "white outlines."

Any pose can become a “picture” and become a work of art!

As for this experience, you can take pictures of both (you cannot take videos)! It is sure to be a memorable viewing experience.

*Please share your views with each other.

 

There are Chihiro Iwasaki goods in the lobby!

In the lobby, original goods that expand Chihiro Iwasaki's world view are on sale!

Everything from bags to postcards is something you'll want♪

Even if you don't enter the "Iwasaki Chihiro Exhibition", you can enter the lobby for free, so you can easily enter and purchase goods.

 

This is my viewing report for the "Iwasaki Chihiro Exhibition."

It was an exhibition that made me feel nostalgic, as I had seen it somewhere before.

The event will be held until Sunday, August 28, 2020, so be sure to visit.

 

Main places to purchase tickets and admission fees for “Iwasaki Chihiro Exhibition”

The main ticket purchase locations and viewing fees for the "Iwasaki Chihiro Exhibition" are as follows. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Kintetsu counter at the west exit of Tsu Station.

 

Mie Prefectural Museum of Art

General 1,000 yen (800 yen)
Students 800 yen (600 yen) Free for high school students and below

*The numbers in parentheses are advance purchase prices and group discount rates for 20 or more people.
*With this fee, you can also view the permanent exhibition room "Museum Collection" and Yoshitatsu Yanagihara Memorial Hall.
*Free admission for those with a disability certificate (including the app) and one accompanying person. Please present your notebook at the entrance to the exhibition room.
*If you are a student, please present your student notebook, student ID card, etc. at the entrance to the exhibition room.
*If prefectural schools (elementary, junior high, high school, special branch) or equivalent facilities visit the museum as part of educational activities, the tour is free for those in charge. (Application required)
*On "Family Day" (August 21st), which is held on the third Sunday of each month, you can view at a group discount rate.

 

Tsu Station West Exit Kintetsu Counter

General 800 yen
Students 600 yen, high school students and under free

*Purchase hours are 10:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and 9:00 to 18:00 on weekends and holidays.

Mie Prefectural Museum of Art basic information, admission fees, transportation access

 

address	11 Otanicho TsuCity 514-0007
telephone number	059-227-2100
business hours	From 9:30 to 17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
Holiday	Mondays (open if Monday falls on a public holiday, closed the next day)
Iwasaki Chihiro exhibition fee	General: 1000 yen, Student: 800 yen (free for high school students and under) *This fee also allows you to view the permanent exhibition.
Main ticket purchase locations	・Museum counter (regular price, various discounts available) ・Tsu Station West Exit Kintetsu Counter (advance ticket price (200 yen discount))
Access by train	About a 10-minute walk from the west exit of Tsu Station, or a 1-minute walk from the west exit of Tsu Station by taking the Sanko bus and getting off at "Art Museum"
Access by car	Approximately 15 minutes from Ise Expressway "Tsu IC"
parking	Free approx. 130 cars
toilet	Available (including multi-functional toilet)
Special exhibition URL	https://www.bunka.pref.mie.lg.jp/art-museum/000262620.htm