INDEX
Street Art in Japan: Right Next to Us
In the final section of the exhibition, five Japanese artists currently active in the street art scene are introduced. Compared to other countries, Japan’s street art scene is still in its early stages—partly due to what the exhibition panel describes as the country’s “strict and orderly social atmosphere.” However, street art is steadily gaining recognition as an art form and gradually becoming integrated into the urban landscape.
One of the most striking pieces is JIKKENRAT’s work, which features graffiti painted over a Tokyo subway map. It consciously carries on the spirit of “I am here!”—a mindset that first emerged in New York in 1969—making it a work that embodies the very origins of street art.
Also featured are two works by SUIKO, an artist who has been gaining prominence after creating a massive mural at Murasaki Park Tachikawa-Tappi, Japan’s largest skateboarding facility, which opened last year. His vibrant colors and forms that seem to exist between organic and inorganic elements make his work especially captivating.
Near the exhibition exit, visitors can also watch a film documenting the creation process of a floor mural by SUIKO, edited specifically for this exhibition. The project took place at a skate park in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture.
