中村澄江
Sumie Nakamura
The "Japan" I know is not the same as the "Japan" you know.
What exactly is "Japaneseness"? I have spent over half a century chasing that answer. Yet, it always shifts like mist, changing form and slipping away the moment I try to grasp it. This strange country, where beauty and madness, serenity and chaos coexist as two sides of the same coin, has been both a challenge and an obsession for me to portray.
At this year’s International Japan Art Festival, artists from around the world are taking on the theme of "Japan." What they create will likely be entirely different from the Japan we know. Their works will offer perspectives enriched by diverse cultural backgrounds, filled with surprises, discomfort, and new discoveries.
Art does not have to be 'beautiful.' Rather, it is something that tears at the hearts of those who see it, exposing something hidden deep within. I hope this event will become an unforgettable experience for you.
Sumie Nakamura
A painter hailing from Nara Prefecture, Sumie Nakamura has questioned the nature of "beauty" since childhood, pursuing unconventional forms of expression. While she studied traditional Japanese painting techniques, her work—characterized by its destructive brushstrokes and avant-garde themes—has shocked the art world both in Japan and abroad.
Her notable works include "Screaming Sakura," a massive folding screen blending abstract emotional expressions, and "Feast of Darkness," which depicts a frenzied demon mask emerging from a pitch-black background.
Dubbed the "Dismantler of Beauty" for her provocative style and piercing insights, she has captivated many fans and critics alike. However, she has also faced accusations of desecrating traditional art. Her response remains unwavering:
"Art only gains its true value the moment it makes someone uncomfortable."
Note: Sumie Nakamura is a fictional character.