TOYAZAKI Mitsuo
TOYAZAKI Mitsuo
[Artist, Collector]
Since his university days majoring in dyeing and weaving, he has held numerous solo exhibitions, starting with his first in Ginza.
After garnering attention for his contemporary art that made extensive use of readymade items,
he has exhibited installations and other works both in Japan and abroad, collecting secondhand items such as buttons.
His collection of miniatures has led him to create three-dimensional works and photo collections.
He has also created miniature books with dog and cat motifs as part of his artwork.
Biography
1955 Born in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture
1981 Graduated from the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts
2024 Appointed Professor Emeritus at Kobe Design University
Major Exhibitions
1995 “Japanese Studio Crafts: Tradition and The Avant-Garde” Victoria & Albert Museum (UK)
1996 “Memories of Tomorrow” Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
1998 “Mud and Roses” North Dakota Museum of Art (U.S.A)
2000 “Learn with Art, Play with Art” Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
2002 Solo Exhibition “Reunion with the Unknown” Shibukawa City Museum of Art (Gunma)
2004 “Mutsumi Tsuzaki Selections” Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art (Kyoto)
2005 "5th International Textile Triennale Exhibition" (Belgium)
2008 "Cloth & Culture NOW" Sainsbury Centre, Norwich, Manchester (UK)
2010 "Knitting, Spreading: Shapes and Colors of Textiles" Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art
2013 "Samijima Art Project" at Setouchi Triennale 2013 (2016)
2014 "Strata of Memory" Exhibition, Koumimachi Kogen Museum of Art (Nagano)
2015 "Kawaii Exhibition" James Hockey and Foyer Galleries (UK)
2018 Solo Exhibition "Small Button Bonsai" Tokyo Myoan Gallery (Tokyo)
2019 "Seinojima Art Project" at Setouchi Triennale 2019 (2022) Prefectural Tour
2022 Solo Exhibition "Miniature Books: Dogs and Cats," Gallery Gallery (Kyoto)
2024 "Masakazu Kobayashi and His Era: Fiber Art and Beyond," The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Major Awards
1979 Ataka Prize, Tokyo University of the Arts graduation project, etc.
1991 Grand Prize, International "Hands-on" New Sculpture Exhibition (Nagoya)
1994 Industry Award, 4th International Textile Competition (Kyoto)
2011 Encouragement Award, Kobe Biennale "Underpass Art Project"
Major Works
1990 MITSUO TOYAZAKI 1983-89 (Limited Edition Large-format Collection) 340 x 263 cm
2000 Collected Recollections MITSUO TOYAZAKI 2000-1991 (Limited Edition Collection) 24.6 x 12.3 cm
2011 Button Rouges (Collection of Photo Albums, Miniature Books) 8.7 x 8.7 cm
2016 Button Installations MITSUO TOYAZAKI (Collection of Works) 14.5 x 14.7 cm
2022 Bijou Book: A Collection of Small Books (Collection of Essays by Mitsuo TOYAZAKI) Shinchosha 18.9 x 12.8 cm
