Good condition.

Okazaki Kenjiro (b. 1955) is one of Japan’s leading contemporary artists, whose multidisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, architecture, criticism, and education. Born in Tokyo, he first gained attention with his debut solo exhibition Tatemono no Kimochi at Muramatsu Gallery in 1981, where he introduced the Akasakamitsuke series. Since then, he has developed an expansive body of work grounded in his distinctive concept of “form-making,” which seeks to transform the frameworks through which we perceive the world. In 2025, a major survey exhibition, Time Unfolding Here, was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, reaffirming his significance within both Japanese and international contemporary art discourse.

The present work, Okachimachi (1987), was exhibited at Nantenji Gallery represents a rare example from this important early period. The Akasakamitsuke works consist of relief constructions made by cutting, folding, and colouring polyethylene sheets based on lines and shapes derived from clothing patterns. Planar elements painted differently on each side intersect in three-dimensional configurations reminiscent of origami. Their titles—such as Okachimachi, Kappabashi, and Sotokanda—refer to districts in Tokyo, evoking the intricate network of the city’s subway system. As the viewer shifts position, colours and forms change dynamically, generating both visual pleasure and an intellectual, puzzle-like engagement. As an early work that encapsulates the experimental spirit and conceptual foundations of Okazaki Kenjiro’s practice, this piece offers a compelling insight into the origins of his enduring artistic vision.

Nantenshi Gallery, Tokyo
M Gallery, Tochigi
Private Collection