Nobuaki Takekawa creates a wide array of works ranging from painting to drawing, sculpture and installation art. His works, while based on his personal identity or interests, are also concerned with topics in the vortex of social and political matters. Although these serious and comprehensive issues, which anyone can be involved in, are key themes in his works, the motifs which he selects - such as milk cartons or bad teeth - are rich in his original sense and humor. Therefore, his works are friendly to the viewer as they do not necessarily require prior knowledge of art. Nevertheless, the artist's critical attitude towards the contemporary society and politics is hidden within the contexts of his works. He makes reference to the "Age of Great Voyage" or "Economic History", from the vast history of nature and humankind, in establishing the grand narratives in his work.
While the style of Takekawa's art practice is very fluid, as if inspired by the flow of oceans and waves (important motifs in his work), its basis can be found in his constant research on the orthodox technique of painting, as well as an awareness of the sense of time outside the human world, obtained from his observation of organisms such as cicada, seashell and sea cucumber. With his unique expression born from these roots, Takekawa aims to construct a new relationship between the expression of traditional Western and Asian art by putting aside the old practice of art history.
Sharing Takekawa's multi-faceted views and narratives which involve the sense of time and history, viewers are able to reflect on their own "place and position", in the same way one would read maps (also a significant motif in his work). Such openness is one of the unique qualities of his work.
Nobuaki Takekawa (b. 1977, Tokyo, Japan) received his BA in Fine Arts at the Tokyo University of the Arts in 2002. His recent solo exhibitions include "idling garden”, Ota Fine Arts, Shanghai (2021), “AMIGOS” Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo (2020), “Cat Olympics: in memory of Torajiro”, Ota Fine Arts, Singapore (2018). Takekawa has also participated in “Works on Paper”, Ota Fine Arts, Singapore (2023), “Where the Heart Goes”, Chengdu Biennale 2023, Chengdu, China (2023), “Pixel Row Vol. 2”, West Bund Museum, Shanghai, China (2022), “Be There”, Ota Fine Arts, Singapore (2022), "Collection1: Faraway Places / Nearby Places", The National Museum of Art, Osaka (2022), “AFTERGLOW” Yokohama Triennale 2020, Yokohama (2020), “Relay to Tokyo – Inheriting and Gathering”, Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens (2020), “Roppongi Crossing 2019: Connexions”, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2019), “Rebel Without a Cause”, The Watari Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo (2018) and the 9th Vladivostok International Biennale of Visual Arts, State Art Gallery of Primorsky region, Primorsky Krai, Russia (2017). His works are held in public and private collections including the Ford Foundation (USA), The National Museum of Art (Japan) and the Collection Lambert (France), etc.
- Nobuaki TakekawaGalley in the Age of Great Knowledge, 2012Wood, ceramic250 x 340 x 781 cm
- Nobuaki TakekawaIsland of Nuclides, 2012Oil on canvas194 x 776 cm
- Nobuaki TakekawaNomadism, 2011Milk carton, wood, glue375 x 145 x H220 cm
- Nobuaki TakekawaCicada's eclosion and I: 3250 years #3, 2008Oil on canvas259 x 194 cm
Works on Paper
Maria Farrar, Masanori Handa, Tsuyoshi Hisakado, Zai Kuning, Yayoi Kusama, Nobuaki Takekawa, Tang Dixin, Xu Danqing5 Aug - 30 Sep 2023SingaporeOta Fine Arts Singapore is delighted to present 'Works on paper', a group exhibition including works by Maria Farrar, Masanori Handa, Tsuyoshi Hisakado, Zai Kuning, Yayoi Kusama, Nobuaki Takekawa, Tang...Read moreBe There
Akira the Hustler, Hilmi Johandi, Jong YuGyong, Nobuaki Takekawa 15 Jul - 4 Sep 2022SingaporeOta Fine Arts Singapore is delighted to present “Be There”, a group exhibition featuring four artists: Akira the Hustler, Hilmi Johandi, Jong YuGyong, Nobuaki Takekawa. The exhibition explores how each...Read moreFlame
Akira The Hustler, Liu Chuang, Tsuyoshi Hisakado, Tomoko Kashiki, Nam Jun Paik, Yoshiko Shimada, Nobuaki Takekawa, Jong YuGyong, Zai Kuning, Zhang Enli22 Feb - 26 Mar 2022TokyoRead moreSummer Show
Nobuaki Takekawa, Yayoi Kusama17 Aug - 25 Sep 2021TokyoOta Fine Arts is delighted to present ‘Summer Show’, a duo exhibition featuring Yayoi Kusama and Nobuaki Takekawa. Kusama recently introduced her latest paintings from the My Eternal Soul series...Read more
ART SG
Booth BD01 10 Jan 2023Ota Fine Arts will participate in 'ART SG', from 11th to 15th January 2023. Ota Fine Arts is located at Booth BD01 , presenting artworks...Read moreTang Dixin and Nobuaki Takekawa
"Pixel Row Vol. 2", West Bund Museum, Shanghai, China 6 Jan 2023Tang Dixin and Nobuaki Takekawa's video work, Pure Voice , is on view in project 'Pixel Row Vol. 2' at West Bund Museum, Shanghai from...Read moreNobuaki Takekawa
"Collection1: Faraway Places / Nearby Places" The National Museum of Art, Osaka, Japan 21 Jun 2022Nobuaki Takekawa will participate in 'Collection1: Faraway Places / Nearby Places' at The National Museum of Art, Osaka in Japan from 25th June to 7th...Read moreArt Basel Hong Kong 2022
Booth: 1D18 19 May 2022Ota Fine Arts will participate in Art Basel Art Basel Hong Kong 2022, from 25th to 29st May 2022. Ota Fine Arts will be located...Read more
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