Cho Megumu

Photo Courtesy: Kushino Terrace

Cho was born into a Christian family and joined the faith in junior high. He began his career as a mechanical draftsman, but grew disenchanted with making blueprints for military weapons, and abandoned the profession at age 26. Cho spent the rest of his career working at social welfare facilities in Hiroshima Prefecture, where he supported the expressive activities of people with disabilities. He retired after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 64. At home, Cho began making pictures using everyday materials, painting empty cardboard boxes instead of canvas, and making cardboard picture frames. His works include paintings with original poetry about his upbringing as a Christian, and images of plump, cherub-like figures called Tenshi (“children of heaven”). Cho’s Tenshi, which were inspired by Doraemon, are depicted with crosses on their heads and bells in both hands. Cho continued creating throughout the last years of his life while suffering from malignant lymphoma.

プロフィール

b. 1942 in Hiroshima Prefecture. Cho spent his career working in social welfare facilities, where he supported the expressive activities of people with disabilities. After retiring in 2007, he began painting at home. Past exhibitions of his work include Late-Bloomer Revolution! (Kushino Terrace, Hiroshima, 2016), Thailand and Japan Art Brut: Figure of Unknown Beauty (Bangkok Art and Culture Center, Thailand, 2019), and Art as It Is: Expressions from the Obscure (University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts, 2020). Cho passed away in 2020.

[Past work] Solo Exhibition, “Ekkyo Suru Museum,” 2018

[Past work] “Tenshi’s Present—A Child Is Born,” 2014, color on cardboard box and canvas. Photo courtesy of Kushino Terrace

[Past work] “Tenshi’s Handbell Series: Arms on Shoulders,” 2015, color on cardboard box and canvas. Photo courtesy of Kushino Terrace

[Past work] “Tenshi’s Present—A Child Is Born,” 2014, color on cardboard box and canvas. Photo courtesy of Kushino Terrace

[Past work] “Tenshi’s Handbell Series: Arms on Shoulders,” 2015, color on cardboard box and canvas. Photo courtesy of Kushino Terrace