This exhibition focuses on the themes of salvation and passion in the creative process, and aims to reexamine the inner dialogue of human beings and their relationship with society.

"Yoiwai" is an event in which people pray for a good harvest by mock-demonstrating farm work for the year and a good harvest in the fall. It is often held as part of agricultural rituals. It is based on the popular belief that if you mock-demonstrate the results you expect in advance, you will get the results you expect.

These concepts are connected to the improvisational quality and preciousness of the transitions in the present that characterize Okamoto's work. This exhibition provides a forum for experiencing the creativity that solitude brings and the moment of salvation that the act of drawing itself brings, through his art.

The feeling he describes as "being engrossed in painting and feeling saved" is the underlying power of his work. The improvised lines and colors he weaves as he confronts himself in solitude and converses with his inner world conveys direct emotions to the viewer. While these works are finished products, they also convey a strong sense of the energy of "pre-celebration" inherent in the creative process itself. This is reminiscent of where he is at in his career as an artist.

Improvisation plays a major role in his creative style. His penchant for free-flowing rhythms and unpredictable developments, like those of jazz, is reflected in his paintings' dynamic brushstrokes and unexpected compositions. His works are born from capturing the ever-changing present moment and following his emotions and intuition at the time, and they are imbued with a sense of the preciousness and transience of the moment.

Okamoto's art is imbued with questions about personal loneliness and relationships with society. His sense of loneliness, feeling like he has no comrades even when he is surrounded by others, is a common issue facing modern society. However, this loneliness gives rise to a rich inner dialogue in his creative process, creating time for him to talk to himself within his works. We hope that through his work, viewers will be inspired to discover the creative power of solitude and new ways of connecting with society.

Exhibition name: Yoshuku

Dates: February 1, 2025 - February 28, 2025

Venue: Yebisu Garden Place TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE

Artist: Okamoto Bishowa Bikuram Gurung