exhibition

[Debut Solo Exhibition] Mayu Anzai "free park," Gallery A

【初個展】安齋茉由 「free park」Gallery A

Mayu Anzai “free park”

I visited Mayu Anzai’s debut solo exhibition “free park.” The venue is Gallery A in Edogawabashi.

Gallery A (Edogawabashi)
Gallery A (Edogawabashi)

This is Mayu Anzai’s debut solo exhibition. Born and raised in Fukushima, Anzai graduated from the Oil Painting Department of Joshibi University of Art and Design in spring 2022. She has since gone on to graduate school at the same university and is currently based in Kanagawa, where she continues her practice.

The show centers on works from the “free park” series, which she painted after returning to Fukushima during the COVID-19 pandemic. All works in the series are dated 2021.

Installation view
Installation view
Left: 《free park 7 (2)》 Right: 《free park 7 (3)》 2021
Left: 《free park 7 (2)》 Right: 《free park 7 (3)》 2021
Installation view — 《free park 5》 2021
Installation view — 《free park 5》 2021
《free park 5》, winner of the Tomohiro Masuda Juror’s Prize at the Shell Art Award 2021
《free park 7 (1)》 2021
An exhibition space evoking the rural landscape of Fukushima, the artist's hometown
An exhibition space evoking the rural landscape of Fukushima, the artist’s hometown
Installation view
Installation view

The exhibition also extended onto the second floor.

Installation view on the second floor
Installation view on the second floor
《free park 9》 2021
《free park 1》 2021
Drawings were also on view.
Drawings were also on view.
The artist reportedly makes drawings before starting each main painting.
The artist reportedly makes drawings before starting each main painting.
Installation view
Installation view

Earlier works of a different type from the free park series were also on display.

《Window》 2018
《Night》 2020
《Wave》 2018, copperplate print, ED: 10

The two-floor gallery space made for a wonderfully comfortable viewing experience.

Mayu Anzai’s practice already spans a broad range, and I am very much looking forward to watching her trajectory unfold as an artist.

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