Takehiko SUGAWARA ― RUTEN

Entitled Ruten, this exhibition presents the works of Takehiko Sugawara, who passed away suddenly last year at the age of 62. At the time of his death, Sugawara was deeply engaged in exploring new motifs and techniques for a solo exhibition scheduled for Paris that autumn. This Tokyo exhibition was organized to ensure that Japanese audiences could also have the opportunity to see the works embodying the new artistic horizons he envisioned toward the end of his life.

Born in Tokyo in 1962, Sugawara specialized in Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) at Tama Art University. His exceptional talent was recognized early, earning him numerous prestigious awards at the start of his career. In 1996, he relocated to Yamanashi Prefecture, where he encountered the Jindaizakura, a cherry tree over a thousand years old. Profoundly moved by the powerful vitality of this ancient tree—a manifestation of the ceaseless flow of life—he began a lifelong pursuit of depicting the transcendent forms of nature. While inheriting traditional techniques, he developed a highly original style that captured nature’s constant transformation. Following the resounding success of his first solo exhibition at Galerie Tamenaga in Paris in 2012, Sugawara’s work steadily gained recognition among international collectors, and he was increasingly seen as an important figure poised to lead the next generation of the art world.

Sugawara ventured deep into the natural world, translating the overwhelming impact of his experiences of nature’s life force onto the painted surface. This approach remained constant even as his motifs evolved—from the Jindaizakura and Usuzumizakura to the Garyū no Matsu, Aoike, and Nanahirosugi. The profound impression his work leaves arises from a reverence for nature that overflows the picture plane, captivating the eye with a beauty both bold and exquisitely delicate.

Sugawara often spoke of encountering mysteries that transcended human understanding. Having entrusted those moments of awe to his brush, his physical journey has ended, but his vision remains. It is our sincere hope that viewers will continue to draw lasting inspiration and meaning from the legacy he has left behind.