Four Japanese Artists Win 75th Art Encouragement Prize
By ANNABEL PRESTON
Installation view of CHIHARU SHIOTA’s Uncertain Journey, 2016/24, metal frame, red wool, dimensions variable, at the Grand Palais, Paris, 2024. Photo by Didier Plowy. Courtesy the artist and Grand Palais.
On March 11, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs presented the 2024 Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize to four Japanese multidisciplinary artists—Takashi Ishida, Yoshiaki Kaihatsu, Chiharu Shiota, and Hiroshi Kanechiku.
Now in its 75th edition, the annual award is divided into 12 categories—with four winners in each—and celebrates individuals who have made pioneering achievements in their respective fields in a given year.
Ishida was recognized for his 2024 solo presentation “Between Tableau and Window” at the Museum of Modern Art, Hayama, which examined the relationship between painting, video, and image, as well as space and light.
Shiota was lauded for her extensive solo exhibition “I to EYE” at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka, which ran from mid-September to early December last year and featured her signature thread installations.
Kaihatsu was praised for his 2024 solo show at the Museum of Contemporary Tokyo, “ART IS LIVE―Welcome to One Person Democracy.” Here, he explored everyday social issues through sculpture, installation, and performance.
Kanechiku was selected for his art engineering achievements at the 2024 Sapporo International Art Festival and various other projects.
As part of the award, each winner received a certificate alongside a JPY 1.2 million (USD 8,000) cash prize.
Annabel Preston is an assistant editor at ArtAsiaPacific.
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