Solo Exhibition 'Mebuki Budding' by HERALBONY Art Prize 2024 Grand Prix Winner Haruka Asano

We are pleased to announce 'Mebuki Budding,' a solo exhibition by Haruka Asano, the inaugural Grand Prix winner of the HERALBONY Art Prize*, held at HERALBONY LABORATORY GINZA Gallery (Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) from Saturday, June 13 to Monday, August 10, 2026.

This exhibition is a follow-up tour to her solo exhibition 'Hyoka Evaluation' held at HERALBONY ISAI PARK (Morioka, Iwate Prefecture).

Ms. Asano uses rice bags as canvases, sublimating the traces of the material such as wrinkles and tears into her works, creating a unique world through precise drawings.

The centerpiece of this exhibition, 'Mebuki,' encapsulates Ms. Asano's own personal changes and path, as the efforts she has accumulated sprout and expand into new expressions after winning the Grand Prix.

Following her winning work 'Hyoka,' which was born from a desperate desire to be evaluated, this exhibition represents the current state of her expression, reached by continuing to paint while facing herself deeply.

We invite you to experience the trajectory of Ms. Asano's creations and the new world budding beyond them.

* The HERALBONY Art Prize is an international art prize established in 2024 for artists with disabilities from all over the world, regardless of professional/amateur status, age, or nationality, to provide a platform to present their creative power and boost the budding of their careers.

Exhibition Overview

Mebuki Budding

Location: HERALBONY LABORATORY GINZA Gallery (Ginza 2-5-16, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

Dates: June 13 (Sat) – August 10 (Mon), 2026

Hours: 11:00-19:00

Closed: Tuesdays (if a holiday, the next day) *Store open daily

Artist: Haruka Asano (Miyagi Prefecture)

She creates works themed on illness and life, using motifs such as starry skies, coral, creatures, family, and her original character 'Chibi.' Diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 20, she began painting seriously at 29 after repeatedly being hospitalized. As white paper makes her nervous, she uses cut-open rice bags as canvases and draws by tracing the wrinkles. She expands her own world with delicate descriptions, utilizing the unevenness and tears. She continues her creative activities in the hope that her works will deepen understanding of herself and her illness. She won the Grand Prix at HERALBONY Art Prize 2024. Her dream is to exhibit her works in an American art museum.

Message

The painting 'Mebuki' on display this time is a sequel to the work 'Hyoka,' which won the Grand Prix at HERALBONY Art Prize 2024. I have been sowing seeds steadily until now. And finally, they have sprouted. Spring has come. I want to take care of these sprouts so they don't wither. I plan to give them water and sunlight.

I am happy to have the opportunity for many people to see my paintings. The sprouts are lively. I am sure they will grow quickly from here. Please support me.

Featured Works

'Mebuki' (Posca, Rice Bag, 2026)

'Shiwa to Saibou no E' (Crayon, Ballpoint pen, Colored pencil, Rice bag, 2017)

'Momiji 1' (Posca, Wood panel, 2021)

'Ginnan 1' (Posca, Wood panel, 2021)

Event during the exhibition

[Live Painting by Haruka Asano]

Witness the live creation process starting from cutting open a rice bag.

Date: June 13, 2026 (Sat)

Time: 11:00-12:00 / 14:00-15:00

Location: HERALBONY LABORATORY GINZA Gallery

Fee: Free, no application required