ARTISTS

Tamie Okuyama

Tamie Okuyama is an artist who depicts the Sun as the main theme of her artworks. At the root of her creations lies the deep insight that "we are all pieces of the solar system", and she sustains a unique philosophy that aims to observe the essence of humanity through the presence of the Sun.

Focusing on the scientific fact that elements found in a single drop of our blood are almost identical in composition to that which forms the solar system, she believes this to be evidence of humanities role in the composition of the Universe itself. Hoping this realization will lead to the formation of a common ground and sense of comradery which expands beyond borders of religion, culture, race and wealth disparity, she continues to depict the Sun.

Okuyama's works are not merely depictions of celestial bodies, but contain within them a force of life, as though the Sun is breathing and talking to us. Reflected here is a contemplation on the deep connection between the Universe and humans. It has the power to make the viewer consider themselves as a universal being.

"We humans are, first and foremost, pieces of stars"—— The Sun she depicts seems to embody these words, continuously emitting a quiet but powerful light.

BIOGRAPHY

Biography

Born in Nigata prefecture in 1946, currently lives in Tokyo, Japan.
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts
Awarded the Yasui Prize.
Included in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art Saitama, Yokohama Museum of Art, Setagaya Art Museum and others.
Traveled around Europe, the Near and Middle East, South and North Africa, and more locations around the world.

Solo Exhibitions

2019 Ginza Six Art Glorieux Gallery of Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan).
2015 ART TAIPEI (Taipei, Taiwan)
LA Art Show (Los Angeles, USA, ‘16, ‘18, ‘23)
2014 Art Fair Tokyo (Tokyo)
Mizoe Art Gallery Tokyo (Tokyo,’17, ’23)
2013 Mizoe Art Gallery Fukuoka (Fukuoka, Japan, ’16, ’23)
2012 Nihonbashi Takashimaya Department Store (Tokyo)
2011 Onomichi City University Retirement Commemoration Exhibition, Museum of Onomichi City University (Hiroshima, Japan)
2010 Nakata Museum, Onomichi (Hiroshima)
2009 Collection Exhibition Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery (Tokyo)
Gallery Wada (Tokyo)
77 Gallery (Tokyo)
2007 “Tamie Okuyama 61 Exhibtion” at Art Garden (Okayama, Japan)
2002 “Le Soleil” at Galerie Yoshii (Paris, France)
2000 “Leap Over” Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi (Tokyo)
1998 “Soul In My Hand” Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi (Tokyo)
1993 Atsushi Tanigawa project “Exploration of the Surface” at Morris Gallery (Tokyo)
1991 “Waver” Tokyo Art Museum Ginza (Tokyo)
1984 77 Gallery (Tokyo ’86, ’92)

Group Exhibitions

2021 Art Fair Tokyo (’23)
Tama Art University Museum “Kotaro Terada Records of Life -Collections forever”
2020 VOLTA NEW YORK
2019 “Onomichi City Museum of Art Collection Exhibition -Newly collected Works” Onomichi City Museum of Art
2016 ART TAIPEI (’17,’18, ’19)
2013 Asia Hotel Art Fair Hong Kong 2013
2007 “Between Here and There” Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery
1997 Nippon International Contemporary Art Fair Tokyo 1997, from Inrata Gallery
1996 Gwangju International Contemporary Art Festival at Gwangju Museum of Art Korea as a guest artist
1993 Setagaya Art Museum Exhibition at Setagaya Art Museum
Contemporary Perspectives ’93 Exhibtion at Tokyo Yurakucho Art Forum
1992 Adam and Eve Exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art Saitama
1988 Expression of Flowers Exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art Saitama
1983 “Post” Collection Exhibition at Tokyo Central Museum of Art

Public Collections

Museum of Modern Art Saitama
Yokohama Museum of Art
Setagaya Art Museum
Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery
Wacoal Art Center
Tsukuba University Ishii Collection
Onomichi City University

Awards

1992 35th Yasui Award
2010 31st Hiroshima Culture Award

Other

Born in Nigata and raised in Tokyo.
1969 Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Fine Arts Department
Traveled to Spain as an honorary exchange student of the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Spain.
1986 Art book “Okuyama Tamie Tabikesho” published (Bijutsu Shuppan Sha, Ltd.).
1987 “Soul in my hand”, drawings for the serial novel “Yellow Hair” published in Asahi Newspaper.
1992 Received the 35th Yasui Award.
1998 Art book “Soul in my hand” published (Okuyama Jimusho Publications).
2000 Art book “Yuragu Wataru (Wavering and Leaping Over)” published (Bijutsu Shuppan Sha, Ltd.).
2003 Picture book “Minikui Hana (Ugly Flower)” published with illustrations by Tamie Okuyama (Iwanami Shoten, Ltd.).
2005 Became a professor at Onomichi University, Hiroshima.
Short novel “San Sui Ren Zu” published (Iwanami Shoten, Ltd.).
2010 Received the 31st Hiroshima Culture Prize.
2012 Retired an became an honorary professor at Onomichi University.