New York – hpgrp gallery New York and Denen Shuzo are pleased to host the first group of illustrators from Satsuma, currently called Kagoshima prefecture, located on the southernmost tip of mainland Japan. The featured artists are three native Satsuma illustrators working in computer media, fashion and picture books. Their work is inspired by the natural beauty and cultural history of Satsuma.

These three illustrators created the art movement “Satsumatic.” It is an escape from numbing relationships, polluted air and Big City bustle back to their quiet home of Satsuma. The vivid colors of sun, ocean, clouds and forest as well as the power of the ultimate source of life have great influence on these illustrations. Through the work of these three illustrators, a new Satsuma movement is forming, brought to New York City for the first time.

Satoshi Ohtera’s theme of “the fusion of plants observed in the garden with a SciFi sense” lightly touches on the symbiosis of nature and technology.

Chinatsu draws on the keynotes of the black of Kagoshima; the red of passion and the feminine; the blue of the sea and the masculine; and white, which connects the world. Chinatsu’s motif depicts the “boldness of a woman who finds strength, beauty and an emphasis on tradition while living in the new age of Satsuma culture.”

Shoichiro Takei expresses a story that reaches out to the heart with the topic of love felt from the warmth of Satsuma’s people and natural surroundings in the form of a picture book for children.

Satsuma was an important access point for cultural exchange with the world, such as the arrival of Saint Francisco Xavier who introduced Christianity to Japan during the 1600’s. In the last years of Edo, the Meiji Restoration of 1868 progressed rapidly. Satsuma took in Western culture quickly and a significant political and social change destroyed the former feudal system, making Imperial Japan a great power. This period produced many talented people, such as Satsuma natives Takamori Saigou and Toshimichi Okubo, who helped implement Japanese modernization. The character of Saigo depicted in the movie “The Last Samurai” was based on one of these icons. Also, Satsuma is surrounded by many islands and an active volcano, Sakurajima. The dark blue seas and rich green nature including the island Yakushima are registered into the World Heritage, akin to a national park. Satsuma’s natural beauty serves as a stage for many movies and animations, such as “Princess Mononoke,” “Umizaru: Limit of Love” and “Yamato.”

Denen Shuzo is presenting the New York debut of these three contemporary artists. Denen Shuzo is a Satsuma company with over 100 years of history brewing Shochu, a popular distilled spirit lighter than whiskey but stronger than wine and sake. During the opening reception, two Shochus will be featured; “Sweet Potato Shochu Denen Black” will be served for the first time in New York, as well as “Wheat Shochu Denen Gold” which is loved around the world. This is the first time Denen Shuzo has shown support of the achievements of art overseas, which is a result of the connection felt with these three illustrators and their shared home of Satsuma. These illustrators are creating the works that have generated this new Satsuma movement.

Producer: Suguru Maruno, Curator: Keiko Ueno.  For more information, please contact Shuhei, director, or Jenn, assistant director at 212.727.2491 at hpgrp gallery New York.

 

Bios

Satoshi Ohtera
1966 Born in Kagoshima, Kyushu
1990 Musashino Art University, BFA Design
         Started working as a freelance Illustrator
2000 Move back to Kagoshima from Tokyo

Awards
2004 Nominated for  “Best Recommended Work” at Media Art Festival by the Agency for Cultural Affairs

Exhibitions
1999 HB Gallery, Tokyo
2001 HB Gallery, Tokyo
2004 HB Gallery, Tokyo
2004 Various Group Shows
2006 “Chronicle ~ to see with your eyes Postwar 60 years” Takapura Gallery, Kagoshima

Work Experience
Animation for “MIXX”, “Furusato Wonderful” and “Kagoshima Life” for South Japan Television
2007- Present Cover Design for “Chopsticks NY
2007 Calendar for “Furusato Tappuri MBC”
2006 Calendar for “Kagoshima Life”
2004-Present Main Visual Design for “Synapses” (provider)
2002-2006 Cover Design for Magazine “PC MODE”
2000 Main Visual Design for Tokyo Game Show 2000
1999-2001 Cover Design for Media White paper published by Dentsu Soken
1998-2006 Cover Design for Living and Electrification by Japan Industry Publication
Illustration for Canon C-Magazine
AD Card Illustration for Berlitz (English Language School)
Cut Design for Nikkei PC, Nikkei Ecology, PC Japan, DOS/V Magazine, Aera English, etc.

 

Shoichiro Takei

1974 Born in Kagoshima, Kyushu
Started illustrating and drawing Manga (comics) by himself
2004 Decided to become an illustrator for picture book
2005 International Academy Design School in Kyushu
         Became a Mr. Ryoji Arai and Mr. Ken Kuroi’s pupil

Award
2005 “Bus Stop” was awarded a Best prize in 11th Shinpusha Picture Book Contest
2006 “Shallade” was nominated a final competition in 1st picture book contest,

         Sponsored by Bijutsu Shuppan

 

Chinatsu

Born 1973, kogoshima, Japan

Awards
2005 CHANCE TEN 2005 CWC = SEMI FINALIST
2006 GALLERY HOUSE MAYA Competition = a prize winner
2006 NYCoo Gallery 'TOKYO11 NY Project exhibition' = Nakazato Award?
2007 HB GALLERY Competition = final selection

EXHIBITIONS

2006 5 people of 'Postwar days Chronicle'