Manar Elbaz

DUBAI: Taking place at Shibuya’s UltraSuperNew gallery from April 18 to May 3, French-Tunisian artist Bechir Boussandel will bring his dreamy artworks to Japan for the first time for a special exhibition that explores the Japanese concept of ‘Yugen.’

‘Yugen’ is a concept in Japanese traditional aesthetic that highlights the subtle, mysterious beauty of things. 

“The exhibition offers a visual journey through my inner landscapes, immersing the viewer in a world where the horizon disappears and space is redefined,” Boussandel told Arab News Japan. “Visitors can expect to experience this idea of depth and simplicity, with a focus on atmosphere and visual sensations, rather than clear-cut representations.”

The Tunisian artist’s works often depict a minimalist abstract scene drawn from a bird’s-eye view, void of a horizontal line.

“(The removal of the horizontal line) gave me much more freedom in my brushstroke, but it also shifted the way the landscape is viewed. The viewer becomes almost like a bird, no longer an observer at human eye level but an entity that is removed, floating above the scene,” the artist reflected.

The artworks usually only have a minimal amount of warm colors such as red and orange; an artistic device that the artist uses deliberately to reflect his relationship with Tunisia.

“These tones are not just aesthetic—they carry an atmosphere, a tactile sensation, a memory of the places I evoke in my work,” he said.

Although he grew up in France, Boussandel told Arab News Japan that he has a special connection with Tunisia and views it as a muse for his majestic drawings.

“Every year, my childhood was marked by trips to Tunisia, which nurtured my deep sensitivity to the culture. Later on, when I started visiting more regularly and living there for periods, I connected with the local art scene and built relationships that greatly influenced my work,” he said.

“My connection to Tunisia is therefore not academic but rather personal—it’s a place of memory, of sensations, and of inspiration that has influenced my art beyond formal education,” the artist added.

Aside from Tunisia, the French-Tunisian artist shared that he is often inspired by Japanese art and culture values, as many acclaimed Japanese artists reflected the beauty of nature in their works. 

“I find the approach and philosophy of art in Japan very inspiring,” he said. “The way Japanese artists integrate nature, spirituality, and simplicity into their work resonates deeply with me. While it differs from my own approach, it offers a fresh perspective on space and vastness.”

The artist will be exhibiting  his works alongside the Japanese artist Yudai Takeuchi. “He is a very talented and promising young artist,” Boussandel said. “I’m really happy to be collaborating with him, as his Japanese perspective adds an interesting dynamic to this partnership.”

“It’s a way for me to engage with a different cultural viewpoint and create a dialogue between our styles. His paintings, which have a unique approach, will complement mine well, bringing a nice diversity and balance between our respective visions,” he added.

Following Tokyo, the artist will showcase his works in Dubai at Tabari Art Space. He told Arab News Japan that he is interested in exhibiting in Saudi Arabia in the future, as the kingdom’s art scene has been blooming in the last couple of years.