Sakurai Akira

Photo: Yuka Ito

Sakurai paints from direct observation. While he previously used photo references, his desire to capture the reality of his subjects led him to begin painting on-site, where he could set up an easel and confront his subject matter directly. This practice can be seen as a rediscovery of modern painting and realism. Over the years, many Impressionist painters have hefted easel and canvas to paint landscapes in open air. Sakurai’s reevaluation of realism comes at a time when it has fallen out of style. For the exhibition, Sakurai has set up his easel in the former residence of the Baba family. The residence, once home to one of the Hokuriku region’s five most prominent Kitamaebune shipping merchants, is a national Cultural Property. Sakurai will continue to paint throughout the exhibition, adding a performative aspect to his installation. By observing the changing state of the venue and engaging in dialogue with others, he will attempt to physically process a diverse field of information.

プロフィール

b. 1996 in Hyogo Prefecture. In 2022, Sakurai completed his MFA coursework in oil painting at the Kanazawa College of Art, where he is currently a doctoral candidate. His past exhibitions include the solo exhibition At Uminoie (Uminoie ni te; Light House Gallery, Tokyo, 2023) and Uchinada Struggle: Memories of Wind and Sand 2022 (Uchinada toso: Kaze to suna no kioku 2022; Uchinada Museum of History and Folklore). He won the Art Olympia Student Prize in 2022.

[Past work] “In the Small Mountain of the House of Uminoie,” 2022, oil on canvas. Collection of the artist.

[Past work] “Untitled,” 2023, oil on canvas. Collection of the artist.

Photo: Ito Yuka

[Past work] “Untitled,” 2023, oil on canvas. Collection of the artist.

Photo: Ito Yuka