Biography & CV
Tsukasa Wakikawa
Painter / Painting Instructor
Oil Painting Acrylic Watercolor Printmaking (Silkscreen) Drawing
Born in 1955 in Niigata, Japan
Lives and works in Murakami, Niigata, Japan
Artist Statement
Since ancient times, people in Japan have sensed a sacred presence in every part of nature—in mountains, rivers, trees, rocks, wind, fire, and water. The Shinto idea of yaoyorozu no kami, or countless divine spirits, and the Buddhist teaching of dependent origination both suggest that all forms of life and existence are interconnected and sustain one another. Nature is not something for human beings simply to use and control. We ourselves are sustained within its endless cycle of life.
Through my art, I seek to portray not only the visible forms of nature, but also the presence and vital energy that dwell within them—the continuous rhythm of emergence, disappearance, and regeneration. My work is also an attempt to rediscover our fading connection with nature and to reconsider the relationship between humanity, the Earth, and the wider universe.
I do not see gods as human-like beings. Instead, I understand them as energies flowing through nature—as countless spirits. A seed sprouts, blossoms, and eventually returns to the soil. At every stage of this process, invisible forces are at work. I hope that my artistic practice can also become part of this greater flow.
The Shinto principles of reverence and harai, or purification, are deeply connected to my approach to art. Reverence means facing the power of nature with humility, especially when it lies beyond human understanding. Harai means clearing away inner stagnation and returning to a state of stillness and balance. I regard the canvas as a small sacred space. As I paint with reverence for nature, I also seek to purify my inner self. When this expression touches another person, the work extends beyond me, connecting with others, with nature, and with the invisible world.
Biography
Tsukasa Wakikawa entered Tokyo University of the Arts as an oil painting major and moved into printmaking in his third year, specializing in silkscreen. Strongly influenced by American Abstract Expressionism, he later developed a deep interest in Minimal Art.
After completing graduate school, Wakikawa worked for a design company and later became an art teacher. Following a period away from artistic production, he resumed his practice and continues to work as a painter while teaching painting classes.
Seeking opportunities beyond Japan, he traveled to the United States in January 2026 and became affiliated with Viridian Artists in Chelsea, New York.
A spiritual experience in 2018 became a major turning point in my artistic practice. From the minimalist approach that had defined much of my earlier work, I gradually shifted toward a more painterly form of expression, and around 2025, my style changed completely.
Education
1981 — MFA, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts
1979 — BFA, Tokyo University of the Arts
Studied oil painting and printmaking, specializing in silkscreen under Tetsuya Noda.
Professional Affiliations
Affiliate Member, Viridian Artists, New York
https://www.viridianartists.com/
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026 — Max Gallery, New York
2006 — Two-Person Exhibition, Gallery Toki, Niigata
1979 — Geidai Atelier C Exhibition, Ryu Gallery, Ikebukuro, Tokyo
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2011 — Acrylic Painting Exhibition, Hitsuji Gallery, Niigata
2011 — Acrylic and Watercolor Exhibition, Gallery Popolare, Murakami
2008 — Silkscreen Exhibition, Sekikawa History and Roads Museum, Sekikawa, Niigata
2002–2005 — Silkscreen and Watercolor Exhibitions, Sakai Gallery, Murakami
1981 — Acrylic Painting Exhibition, Tamaya Art Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo
Selected Awards & Juried Exhibitions
2021–2025 — Luxembourg Art Prize, Acrylic; Certificate of Artistic Achievement
2025 — New York Art Incubation Competition, Honorable Mention, Acrylic
2019 — NBC Meshtec International Silkscreen Print Biennale, Honorable Mention
2013 — NBC Meshtec International Silkscreen Print Biennale, Selected
2002 — Yamamoto Kanae Print Grand Prix Exhibition, Selected, Silkscreen
2001 — Kanagawa International Print Triennale, Silkscreen
1981 — International Print Exhibition, Yugoslavia
1980 — Asia Young Artists Exhibition, Honorable Mention, Silkscreen
1979 — Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation Exhibition, The Mr. O Prize