Contemporary Artist Hiroko Nakakita's Solo Exhibition 'Rinne'

Hyakka Ryoran, Triptych Folding Screen (each panel 1500 x 498mm), Oil on canvas, 2026

We are pleased to announce that contemporary artist Hiroko Nakakita will hold her solo exhibition 'Rinne' from Wednesday, July 15, 2026, to Monday, July 20, 2026 (National Holiday), at the 6th-floor Art Gallery of Takashimaya S.C. in Nihonbashi.

On the occasion of her 25th anniversary as a professional artist, Nakakita shares the following statement about this exhibition:

For this solo exhibition, I will present works created along the themes of 'Apoptosis' and 'Rinne (Reincarnation)', which I have long explored.

'Apoptosis' represents the process by which life completes its role and transitions into a new cycle, while 'Rinne' depicts the flow of life that is reborn and evolves through change within that cycle.

Having grown up in the Hanshin region, I have long created my art in silence.

The Hanshin area is a cultural ground where modern lifestyles coexist with traditional values, and it was here that the Gutai Art Association emerged after World War II.

The richness and contradictions of this region have deeply influenced my sensibility.

Looking back through history, I am particularly drawn to the women who lived during the Taisho era.

Despite living in a highly constrained society, these women believed in their own sensibilities, chose their own styles of dress and ways of life, and sought new forms of expression. Their 'freedom within fences' radiates a quiet yet unshakable will, profoundly shaping the depth and foundation of my artistic expression.

Drawing from kimono patterns, the environment of the Hanshin region, and my personal experiences, I weave into my works the beauty of life's cycles, transformation, and freedom found within boundaries.

My works incorporate motifs such as wave patterns and birds.

Wave patterns symbolize the rhythm of time and change, reflecting the continuity between past and future, as well as the fluctuations of the heart.

Birds, as silent beings soaring into the sky, symbolize prayer, forgiveness, and rebirth.

Just as feathers fall and regrow, humans also let go of their old selves and transform into new versions of themselves.

I aim to express the sensation of a cycle connecting the past, present, and future.

Over 40 works, centered on new creations, will be exhibited. We invite you to experience the unique world of Nakakita's art.

Selected Exhibition Works

kaze-wataru, Oil and acrylic on canvas, 2026

Hanahotaru I, Oil on canvas, 2026

Ginbou, Oil on canvas with Nishijin thread, 2026

Exhibition Overview

Exhibition Title: Hiroko Nakakita Solo Exhibition 'Rinne'

Dates: July 15 (Wed) – July 20 (Mon, National Holiday), 2026

Artist in Attendance: July 15 (Wed), July 19 (Sun), July 20 (Mon, National Holiday)

Venue: 6th Floor Art Gallery, Takashimaya S.C. Main Building (2-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

Hours: 10:30–19:30

Inquiries: 6th Floor Art Gallery, Takashimaya S.C. Main Building (Main Line) 03-3211-4111

About Contemporary Artist Hiroko Nakakita

© K. Kurigami

Born in Hyogo Prefecture. Nakakita graduated from the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, Oil Painting Department in 2006, and began her professional career as a painter. She maintains studios in Kobe and California, exhibiting her works both domestically and internationally. Born into a traditional household, she explores the tension between reason and emotion, constraint and freedom in her paintings. Her style is characterized by emotionally charged colors and the flowing drips of paint. In recent years, she has incorporated the new motif of 'the cycle of life'.

In 2021, she opened her own gallery, 'Hiroko Nakakita', in Kobe's former foreign settlement. Expanding beyond painting, she collaborates on product development that reflects her unique worldview. She richly integrates the spirituality of Japanese culture—such as kimono, tea ceremony, dance, and crafts—further broadening her artistic expression.

Official Website: https://hiroko-nakakita.com/

Official Instagram: @hirokonakakita_official