Artist Statement
I work on the theme of "memory". When I trace my memory, there are parts that I can remember clearly and parts that I can't remember, but there are moments when I recall the shapes, colors, sounds, smells, etc. that remain in my mind with a strong impression. I capture the flashing bits of memory and use colors to place them on the canvas.
For me, the work of painting is also a repetition of the process of capturing fragments of memories, making them conscious, and visualizing them. The image consisting of layers of color that appears in front of me through repetition is an accumulation of embodied memories. From there, I continue to discover new fragments and accumulate them.
Profile
Toko Tokunaga
1967 Born in Tokyo Japan
1991 - 2007 Lived in Paris, France
2007 - present Live and Work in Tokyo, Japan
1997 - 2008 Member of La Maison des Artistes in France
2003 - present Member of Japan Artists Association
2019 - 2021 Lecturer, Department of Painting, Musashino Art University
2022 - present Lecturer, Sokei Academy of Fine Art and Design
2023 - present Lecturer, Department of Painting, Musashino Art University
Education
1995 Master of Fine Arts, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris
Atelier Claud Viallat / Atlier Henri Clement&Monique Poncelet / Atlier Pierre Carron
1991 Bachelor of fine Arts, Musashino Art University
Award and Grant
2008 Open Art Contest IBERICA Award, Grand Prize N.Y Coo Gallery, New York, USA
2001 POLA Art Foundation Grant Project for Color in the Middle Ages in Southern France,Coted'Azur,France
Salon Selected Works
2001 November in Vitry, Salon de Vitry, Municipal Gallery of Vitry-sur-Seine, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
1999 Salon de Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Carrousel de Louvre, Paris, France
International Contemporary Art, Salon de Jeune Peinture ,Espace quai Branly ,Paris, France
1998 Salon international d'Art contemporain, Salon de Jeune Peintureat the Espace quai Branly, Paris
Salon d’Art Contemporain, 43ème Salon de Montrouge, at the Municipal Gallery of Montrouge France
Salon des oeuvres sur papier at the Château du Grand Veneur, Soisy-sur-Seine France
1993 Competition of drawing Pierre David-Weill Prize, Académie des Beaux-Arts,Salle de Comtesse de Caen, Paris, France
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023 Process and Color, Gallery Icho no Ki, Hachioji, Tokyo Japan
Kioku vol.16 MORI, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Toko Tokunaga Solo show, Gallery Kinasa Irohado, Kinasa, Nagano, Japan
Niji no Toru Michi, Koshundo Gallery, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
2022 Kioku vol. 15 OTO, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
2021 Art Work 12：Toko Tokunaga Solo show, TOKYU HONTEN Art Gallery, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Kioku vol. 14 MA, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
2020 Journey Into the Light, JUNKUDO MARUZEN Fukuoka 2F MARUZEN Gallery, Fukuoka, Japan
Kioku Vol.13 2007-2019, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
2019 Kioku vol. 12 TOKI, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Landscapes of memory KOUSAI, MARUZEN Gallery Aer, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Landscapes of memory, JUNKUDO Fukuoka B1 MARUZEN Gallery, Fukuoka, Japan
2018 Landscapes of memory MADO, MARUZEN Gallery Aer, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Kioku vol. 11 KOUSAI, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Inspired by the Beauty of KINASA, Gallery Kinasa Irohado, Kinasa, Nagano, Japan
Kunshoku, Koshundo Gallery, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
2017 Kioku vol. 10 NIWA, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
2016 Kioku vol. 9 MADO, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Iro no Kansho, Koshundo Gallery, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
Landscapes of memory MATATAKI, MARUZEN Gallery Aer, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
2015 Kioku vol. 8 GUZEN TO HITSUZEN, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Hazar et Nécessité –By Chance and For Reasons, Galerie 48, Lyon, France
2014 LA ARTCORE Union center of the arts, Los Angeles, California, USA
Kioku vol. 7 KAM, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
2013 Kioku vol. 6 KANADERU IRO, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Drawing, Gallery Kinasa Irohado, Kinasa, Nagano, Japan
Kioku-Mizu, Hikari, Kaze, Sanbancho Gallery, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan
2012 Saikou no Utsuroi, Studio IWATO, Kanda, Tokyo, Japan
Kioku vol. 5 HIKARI NO SHIZUKU, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Inaugural Exhibition, Sakuragi Fine Arts, Ueno Sakuragi, Tokyo, Japan
2011 Les souvenirs colorés, TCH'A LA MAISON DE THÉ, Paris, France
Kioku vol.4 KATACHI, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Light and Darkness, Theatre-IWATO, Kagurazaka, Tokyo, Japan
2010 Inaugural Exhibition vol.2, Koshundo Gallery, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
Kioku vol.3 IRODORARERU KIOKU, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
2009 Gallery Kinasa Irohado, Kinasa, Nagano, Japan
Hikari to Kage, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
2008 Shikisai no Mori, Gallery UMEKICHI,Hiro, Tokyo, Japan
2007 Tenzaisuru Kioku, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo / Tsudanuma, Chiba, Japan
2006 Odakyu Art Salon, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
2004 Odakyu Art Salon, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
2002 Odakyu Art Salon, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
2000 Gallery Qvadrige at the Chapelle St-Jean-Baptist, St-Jeannet,France
1999 Gallery Dominique VIVENCE, Paris, France
1998 Espace Confluence, Paris, France
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023 Crosscurrent：The 6th International Exchange Exhibition US-JAPAN, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
Art Cocktail 2023, Steps Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Rose de Mai vol.2, K's Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Jappan
Contemporary Art Festival of Nebula, The Museum of Modern Art Saitama, Urawa, Saitama, Japan
The 34rd Exhibition of Artists of Tama Area, Higashikurume City community center,Tokyo,Japan
2022 Art Cocktail 2022, Steps Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Salon des artistes japonais, Paris 2022, Galerie Etienne de Causans, Paris, France
Rose de Mai, K's Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
FAVORITE 2022, Steps Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
-Rustlings and Tonalities of the Nature- Toko Tokunaga＆Junko Skai Two Persons Show,
Gallery Kinasa Irohado, Kinasa, Nagano, Japan
-HANDMADE TALES - Joseph Piasentin and Toko Tokunaga, Sakuragi Fine Arts, Ueno Sakuragi, Tokyo, Japan
2021 The 33rd Exhibition of Artists of Tama Area, Higashimurayama City community center,Tokyo,Japan
Toko Tokunaga plus, Court Gallery Kunitachi, Kunitachi, Tokyo Japan
Allumage, Early Summer, K’s Gallery Ginza, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Art Cocktail 2021, Steps Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
2020 Knew and New Works - Joseph Piasentin and Toko Tokunaga, Sakuragi Fine Arts, Ueno Sakuragi, Tokyo, Japan
2019 Crosscurrent：The 5th International Exchange Exhibition US-JAPAN》Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, Tokyo
Inspired by the Beauty of KINAWA Summer 2019: 3 Persons Show: Joseph Piasentin & Hiroo Kuwata &Toko Tokunaga, Gallery
Kinasa Irohado, Kinasa, Nagano, Japan
2018 Site of Intersection - Joseph Piasentin and Toko Tokunaga, Sakuragi Fine Arts, Ueno Sakuragi,Tokyo, Japan
Contemporary Art Festival of Nebula, The Museum of Modern Art Saitama, Urawa, Saitama, Japan
2017 LA ARTCORE BREWERY ANNEX, Los Angeles, California, USA
Across the River - Joseph Piasentin and Toko Tokunaga, Galerie 48, Lyon, France
2016 29th Exhibition of Artists of Tama Area, Higashimurayama City community center,Tokyo,Japan
Kioku vol. 9 MADO, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Choix de petits formats, Galerie 48, Lyon, France
Stripe - Joseph Piasentin and Toko Tokunaga, Sakuragi Fine Arts, Ueno Sakuragi, Tokyo, Japan
Tie-&Charity Exhibition for Nagano Earthquake 2014, Gallery Kinasa Irohado,Kinasa, Nagano, Japan
2015 Contemporary Art Festival of Nebula, The Museum of Modern Art Saitama, Urawa, Saitama, Japan
Square - Yuki Kamide and Toko Tokunaga, Sakuragi Fine Arts, Ueno Sakuragi, Tokyo, Japan
Space of restructuration, MARUZEN Gallery OAZO, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
2014 Introspective Landscapes, Galerie 48, Lyon, France
2013 PUBLIC ART Part II, ORIE Art Gallery,Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan
2013 The Divine Comedy in the Contemporary Art, Consulate General of Italy in Nice, Nice, France
The 9th International Visual Art Workshop and Exhibition, Poh-chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok, Thailand
2012 Hanayagu Shikisai, POLA MUSEUM ANNEX ,Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Group show 18th HAKUYO, Court Gallery Kunitachi, Kunitachi, Tokyo, Japan
2011 Beanie Kaman and Toko Tokunaga, LA ARTCORE Union center of the arts, Los Angeles, California, USA
East Japan great earthquake disaster charity art show, Koshundo Gallery, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
The 7th International Visual Art Workshop and Exhibition, Poh-chang Academy of Arts Bangkok,Burapa University,
Chonburi, Thailand
2010 L’Angélus à 150 ans,150 Artistes Réinterprètent Jean-François MILLET, organized by City of Barbizon,
Espace Culture Marc Jacquet, Barbizon, France
Wax Work Site vol.8, Gallery Saoh and Gallery Tomos, Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan
2009 Contemporary Art Festival of Nebula, The Museum of Modern Art Saitama, Urawa, Saitama, Japan
Crosscurrent: The 2nd International Exchange Exhibition US-JAPAN, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum /
MAKII MASARU-FINE ARTS,Tokyo, Japan
LA ARTCORE Union center of the arts / Brewery annex, Los Angeles, California, USA
2008 The Divine Comedy, Museum Goya, Castre, France
2003 The Divine Comedy:Jo Moller and Toko Tokunaga, Gallery Qvadrige, Nice, France
2001 Novembre à Vitry, Salon de Vitry Vitry-sur-Seine France
2000 Promise for the year 2000, organized by Culture＆Communication Minister of France, Espace Belleville, Paris, France
Japanese Artists in Paris, Gallery M.B, Paris, France
1999 1st Biennale:The View of Abstract Art, Maison des Artistes Cagnes-sur-Mer,Cagnes-sur-Mer, Côte d'Azur, France
1998 Grand Marché d'Art Contemporain av. de la Grand Armée, Paris France
1995 Versailles Jeunesse, Manifestation des Artistes dans la rue, Versailles France (1993,1994,)
1993 Competition of drawing, Pierre David-Weill Prize, Académie des Beaux-Arts,Salle de Comtesse de Caen, Paris, France
Collections (Selected)
Christian Fischbacher Textile Company, St Gallen,Switzerland
Iberica Clinical Research Center, New York, USA
Komine Clinic, Tokyo, Japan
Consulate General of Italy in Nice, Nice, France
Museum Goya, Castre, France
The Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris, France
Poh-chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok, Thailand
Burapa University, Chonburi, Thailand
Corporate and Public Art Placements (Selected)
Ibaragi Kyosai, Furukawa, Ibaragi, Japan
Benesse Style Care, Tokyo, Japan
Osaka Gakuin University, Osaka, Japan