Amin Abbas

ABU DHABI: Japanese exhibition “Variation and Autonomy: The Prints of Contemporary Japanese Painters” started in Abu Dhabi on June 14 in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in the UAE and The Japan Foundation.

The traveling exhibition showcases prints produced by ten Japanese contemporary painters, who explored a wide range of possibilities through prints and expanded the range of expression in contemporary art using the print medium in the 1970s.

The exhibition focuses on specialists considered to have shaped the history of contemporary Japanese prints and looks at the work of painters who drew on trends in contemporary art and attempts to reassess the existing history of contemporary Japanese prints.

The art show is curated by Kyoji Takizawa and showcases the artists Masanari Murai, Toshinobu Onosato, Yasukazu Tabuchi, Yayoi Kusama, Natsuyuki Nakanishi, Hitoshi Nakazato, Tomoharu Murakami, Naoyoshi Hikosaka, Kosai Hori and Toeko Tatsuno.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News Japan, Huda I. AlKhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival shared the story and idea behind organizing the exhibition: “As the UAE and Japan celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, welcoming the travelling exhibition to Abu Dhabi only enhances the relations between our two countries and we are committed to building upon our relationship in the years to come.”

She explained that the exhibition affirms ADMAF’s belief that “cultural diplomacy is the key to understanding different cultures and fostering mutual respect and dialogue between nations.”

The founder thanked Ambassador ISOMATA Akio for making the exhibition happen and “for facilitating the process to allow audiences in the UAE to experience the wonder of Japanese contemporary art.”

She added that the show will give visitors an opportunity to experience contemporary Japanese art and to discover the talent of influential artists like the world-famous Yayoi Kusama.

According to the Japan Foundation, there are two more exhibitions for the show happening in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with the dates yet to be announced.

The Abu Dhabi show will run until July 7 at the Galleria Mall .