[Preface] The 24th NAU 21st Century Art United Exhibition (The National Art Center, Tokyo)

Yoko Mitsuyuki（光行洋子）, Curator of the NAU 21st Century Art United Association / Professor Emeritus, Kyushu Sangyo University

The NAU 21st Century Art United Exhibition held its first edition in 2000 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. After 10 editions, the venue was moved to The National Art Center, Tokyo, starting from the 11th edition, and the exhibition welcomed its 24th edition in February 2026. Founded as a unified body of independent artists regardless of genre, the exhibition has garnered the support of many artists and continues to this day under the philosophy of allowing free participation regardless of the field, style, or material of artistic expression. Next year will mark a highly significant milestone as we approach the 25th edition.

The number of exhibitors this year exceeded last year's, totaling 129 participants, consisting of 76 members and 53 public applicants. It is highly gratifying that the number of public applicants has significantly increased, with as many as 30 first-time applicants among them. The total number of exhibited works, combining both members and public applicants, reached 179 items: 136 paintings, 7 calligraphy works, 7 photographs, 16 three-dimensional works, 2 videos, and 11 installations. The overall impression of the venue was brightened by the increase in works from young public applicants, and it was full of vitality with experimental challenges observed across all genres, including two-dimensional, three-dimensional, installation, and video art. Many promising works by young artists were also featured.

The selection for the Future Award was conducted through a voting format by a total of 5 individuals: the curator and 4 steering committee members, determining two Future Award winners based on the total score ranking.

Wang Muti's artwork, "Sacred Land - Alishan," is a series of three landscape paintings drawn on Gasenshi (drawing paper). The pieces resonate with each other, constructing the sky and rocks through a bold vertical composition on a 5-meter-wide wall. Backed by solid descriptive skills, the work is painted with dynamic composition and profound colors. The entire piece exudes a fresh, atmospheric presence, making it a masterpiece that overwhelms the viewer.

Masanori Okayama's two pieces, "Sign," present a beautiful, mysterious, and captivating world of black and white tones. His painterly photographic expression is two sides of the same coin, creating a unique world of artistic expression where philosophical concepts can be felt. The two works seem to resonate with each other, sending out a "Sign."

We look forward to seeing how the outstanding works of these two Future Award winners will unfold in their independent booths next year.

Furthermore, within the selection committee, considering the increase in the number of applications and the overall improvement in the quality of the artworks, a proposal was made to establish a Semi-Future Award. Following discussions, two runners-up were selected for this award.

Koho Kurihara's artwork, "Cloud, Spider, Cloud/crowd," visualizes our information-overloaded society. It is a major experimental work that freely expands from calligraphy on a 5-meter wall. Aretokore Koko's artwork, "Nautilus," is a semi-three-dimensional piece made of painted cork. Its highly realistic expression creates the illusion of a squirming nautilus, making it a masterpiece of immense impact. The committee decided to provide a 5-meter wall space for next year as a supplementary prize for the two Semi-Future Award winners.

Mitsuo Saka, who won the Future Award at the 23rd exhibition last year, displayed 5 new works in his booth. Consciously utilizing the white walls, he further expanded the world of two-dimensional painting. His works recreate various landscapes of his hometown in Chiba, utilizing an embossing technique for curved surfaces and incorporating materials such as wire and string to form a rich and substantial body of work. Rie Tabata, another Future Award winner, exhibited 8 new works titled "Lines and Colors 2026," which are abstract paintings originating from calligraphy. She demonstrated diverse artistic development, ranging from abstract paintings that use light ink to express the unique brush pressure and stroke lines of calligraphy, to works where points, lines, and planes float on a background of light colors applied broadly over Japanese paper, and finally to painterly, semi-figurative works depicting colorful stones.

Regarding veteran artists, Toshiaki Takahashi, working across two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces, Nobuto Udagawa and Yuji Hashitani, creating tempera paintings with mixed media, as well as Sawako Watanabe, Ikko Inoue, Kengo Watanabe, and Kohei Tomita in the field of calligraphy, all pursued their unique techniques. Their respective works tightened and solidified the atmosphere of the entire venue. The video artwork planned by Tomoe Otsu and the student performance by the Body Expression Dance Team from Tokyo Zokei University were deeply engaging. In the outdoor exhibition area, the works by Hitoshi Suzuki, Akira Taira, Kazuko Hayashi, and Mana Yamane, utilizing materials like stone and driftwood, blended seamlessly into the surrounding natural landscape. Enhanced by the mid-exhibition snowfall, they presented a uniquely charming scenery distinct from the usual view.

Looking at this year's exhibitors by region, those reaching double digits were: Kanto (84), Kansai (12), Kyushu (12), and Overseas (12), with all other prefectures remaining in the single digits. We hope for an increase in applications from across the country and more overseas exhibitors in the future.

The number of visitors was 10,008. Despite the mid-exhibition snow and severe cold, and a sharp decline in visitors from China, the turnout still exceeded 10,000. This is entirely the result of the joint efforts and hard work of the NAU exhibition representative, the secretariat, all members, and the public applicants.

Please browse:

The Online Digital Catalog of the 24th NAU 21st Century Art United Exhibition in Japan

[The 24th NAU 21st Century Art United Exhibition Exhibitor List]

[List of Exhibitors] 129 Participants

Shuko Aoki, Akane Asano, Makoto Anazawa, Masamitsu Abe, Kumiko Arakawa, Aretokore Koko, Minoru Iida, Hotan Ishii, Mitsuko Ishii, Shikiko Isozaki, Rieko Ito, Ikko Inoue, Kenichi Inoue, Michiko Uesugi, Nobuto Udagawa, Toshihiro Uchihira, Tomoe Otsu, woga, Shigetada Okada, Naoe Okamoto, Masanori Okayama, Izan Ogawa, Kazu Ogawa, Kiyoko Ogino, Masami Ozawa, Yoshiko Oda, Miki Kajiyama, Kasumi Katagiri, Kazumi Kato, Junko Kanamaru, Midori Kamimura, Fumiko Kamo, Fuka Kanda, Aki Guarino, Hiroko Kuboki, Koho Kurihara, Masami Kuwayama, Yoko Kosai, Riho Koster, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Akiko Konno, Mitsuo Saka, Tsunamasa Sasaki, Riyo Sato, Akiko Shiaka, Akira Shiomi, Kei Shibatani, SHUICHI GOTOH, Shozo, Tamarou Suemoto, Junko Sugano, Masashi Sugiyama, Suzu Madoka, Hitoshi Suzuki, Rintaro Sekino, Akira Taira, Shiori Takahashi, Toshiaki Takahashi, Nao Takanohashi, Hajime Tajima, Hiroyuki Tajima, Yoichiro Tatsuruhama, Mizuho Tanaka, Rie Tabata, Takeshi Tamura, Kazuki Chikyo, Maki Chisaka, Tsuten Hiromi Sakurai, Tomoko Tsuda, TOKYO Takashi, Makiko Tonuma, Kohei Tomita, Rie Domon, Ohko Toyosaki, Yuri Nakajima, Hakuran Nakamura, Yuko Nishida, Chitose Ninomiya, Kazuyuki Nihei, NIL, Masami Nomura, Senwa, Yuji Hashitani, Makiko Hattori, Michiko Hamasaki, Natsuko Hamada, Kazuko Hayashi, Tomoko Hariya, HIROMI TOMINAGA, FASC, Ryoko Fukao, Etsuko Fukue, Mizue Fukuda, Satoru Fujishita, Hosui, HOLEE, Jun Makime, Masaya Iwasaki, Sayo Matsushita, Seiji Matsumura, Maho Laplante, Yoko Mitsuyuki, Satoko Miyazaki, Kiyoshi Monjugawa, Hiroyuki Yachiguchi, Michiyo Yanagiya, Koichi Yamauchi, Sachiko Yamazaki, Yoko Yamada, Mana Yamane, Hyun-sook Yoo, YU-KI, YUKIKO, Shigeyoshi Yuzawa, Ryokka Yoshihara, Kozo Wada (Deceased), Hiroshi Wada, Kengo Watanabe, Sawako Watanabe, Nobuyoshi Watanabe, Minori Warabisako, Wu Tsai-En, Wang Chuan-Fu, Jiang Jin-Ling, Chen Fu-Chi, Li Chia-Ling, Lien Jui-Fen, Liao Chun-Yi, Wang Muti.

Exhibition Background: The NAU 21st Century Art United Exhibition originated from the "Neo Dada Organizers," formed in the 1960s by Shusaku Arakawa, Ushio Shinohara, Genpei Akasegawa, Sho Kazakura, and others. Reorganizing its predecessor, AU (Artist Union), Masunobu Yoshimura, who advocated for "anti-art," and Tadaki Iwanaga, a pioneer of trick art, along with others, formed a unified body of independent artists regardless of art genre. They launched the "NAU 21st Century Art United Exhibition Pre-Exhibition" in 2000, which continues to this day.

NAU 21st Century Art United Association Organization List:

• Founder: Tadaki Iwanaga (Deceased)
• President: Naoyuki Yamada
• Honorary Member: Mitsuyoshi Haruguchi
• Curators: Nobuto Udagawa, Yoko Mitsuyuki

[ Planning & Operations ]

• Representative, Exhibition, Accounting: Toshiaki Takahashi
• Secretariat: Yuji Hashitani, Tomoe Otsu, Rie Tabata

[ Exhibition Operations ]

• YUKIKO, Maho Laplante, Rieko Ito
• Senwa, Mitsuo Saka, TOKYO Takashi, Minori Warabisako

[ Production Information ]

• Catalog Design: Naoko Kato (KatDesign)
• Photography: Kimio Itozaki, Tomoe Otsu
• Publisher: NAU 21st Century Art United Association
• Publication Date: March 31, 2026

Catalog of the 24th NAU 21st Century Art United Exhibition in Japan

Regarding Founder Tadaki Iwanaga:

The biography of founder Tadaki Iwanaga, along with well-known artists he exhibited with or who are closely related to him in art history, is as follows:

1. Biography of Tadaki Iwanaga

• Education and Early Development: Tadaki Iwanaga graduated from Musashino Art University in Japan in 1955.
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• Artistic Achievements: He is the leading figure and pioneer of "Trick Art" in Japan
• International Exhibitions: His works were active internationally; he held a solo exhibition at the Open House Gallery in New York in 1988, participated in the "Olympiada Cultural Barcelona" in Spain in 1992, and was invited to the Bulgaria Biennale in 1997.
• .. Renowned artists who promoted art movements with him or had significant connections to the exhibitions he founded include:...... His personal creations primarily focus on landscape painting (such as the "Hometown Sketches" series), and he is active in the Japanese contemporary art scene....., continuously exhibiting his works alongside other contemporary artists in the association's annual exhibitions.. Naoyuki Yamada is the current President of NAU
• Founding the NAU Art United Association: Against the backdrop of the Japanese avant-garde art movement in the 1960s, Tadaki Iwanaga, along with renowned artist Masunobu Yoshimura, who advocated for "anti-art," and others, reorganized its predecessor, the "Artist Union (AU)".

Regarding Curator (Gakugei Iin): Nobuto Udagawa

The biography of Nobuto Udagawa, Curator for the NAU 21st Century Art United Exhibition in Japan, and the artists closely associated with his artistic career and exhibitions:

Biography of Nobuto Udagawa

• Origin and Education: Born on May 8, 1944, in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from the Department of Painting (majoring in Oil Painting) at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 1968. He subsequently completed his master's degree at the same university in 1970, furthering his studies in the laboratory of the renowned painter Ryohei Koiso.
• Education and Academic Achievements: Nobuto Udagawa has long been dedicated to art education, teaching at Kyushu Sangyo University since 1971. He served successively as a professor and Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and held the position of President of Kyushu Sangyo University from 2001 to 2004; he is currently a Professor Emeritus at the university. He has also traveled to Southern Cross University in Australia and the University of Pennsylvania in the United States as a visiting artist and professor for artistic exchange.
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• Artistic Creation and Techniques: His creations are widely known for mixed media techniques using oil and tempera. In the exhibition reviews, he is noted as a senior veteran artist who tightened the overall atmosphere of the venue through his unique mixed media expressions
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• Role in NAU Association: Nobuto Udagawa holds the critical core position of "Curator (Gakugei Iin)" in the "NAU 21st Century Art United Association," responsible for the exhibition's academic and planning guidance

Related Renowned Artists

Nobuto Udagawa's artistic context encompasses his academic mentors and the NAU Association members with whom he collaborates to promote contemporary art:

• Ryohei Koiso: One of the most representative Western-style painting masters of the Showa period in Japan. When Nobuto Udagawa was a graduate student at Tokyo University of the Arts, he studied in Koiso's laboratory and was deeply influenced by his solid academic Western painting techniques.
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• Yoko Mitsuyuki: Within the NAU 21st Century Art United Association, Yoko Mitsuyuki serves alongside Nobuto Udagawa as a "Curator"
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• Toshiaki Takahashi and Yuji Hashitani: These two artists are also veteran pillars in the NAU exhibition alongside Nobuto Udagawa. Furthermore, Toshiaki Takahashi is the representative and exhibition manager of the NAU Association
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• Tadaki Iwanaga and Masunobu Yoshimura: As founders of NAU and pioneers of avant-garde art, the "anti-art" and genre-free free spirit they advocated set the historical tone for NAU

His Core Titles and Honors in Global and Asian Art Circles, and Major Art Organizations:

I. Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize and Asian Art Promotion Titles

• Committee Member of the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize (2001–2004): He served as a committee member for this internationally renowned prize, participating in its operations and selecting iconic figures who have made outstanding contributions to Asian culture.
• Representative of the Japan Committee, Asian Artists Federation: Serving as the Japanese representative, he has long been dedicated to art exchange and international exhibition promotion among Asian countries.
• International Culture Festival Fukuoka 2004 (Chairperson, Asian Art Planning Committee): He served as the chief director of Asian art planning for this large-scale international cultural festival, leading transnational art exhibitions.

II. NAU and Important Domestic Academic Titles

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• Curator, NAU 21st Century Art United Association: As shown in the exhibition materials, he holds a core curatorial and academic guidance position within the association
• Professor Emeritus and Former President, Kyushu Sangyo University: He holds a prestigious position in the Japanese academic art world, having served as Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and as President of Kyushu Sangyo University from 2001 to 2004.
• Vice President, Fukuoka Branch of "Mori-no-kai" (Alumni Association), Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts: As a distinguished alumnus of Tokyo University of the Arts, he serves as the regional vice president of this important academic alumni association.

III. Other Important Art Institution Positions and Honors

• Director and Vice President, Kyushu Cultural Association: Serving as vice president since 2013, he holds significant decision-making influence over the cultural and artistic development of the entire Kyushu region.
• Former President, Fukuoka City Art Federation: He served as president of the federation between 1998 and 2000.
• Councilor, Fukuoka City Foundation for Arts and Cultural Promotion: Involved in the promotion and supervision of Fukuoka City's official cultural and arts policies.
• Iconic Personal Awards: Personally awarded the "Fukuoka City Culture Prize" in 2004; more recently, in 2025 (Reiwa 7), he was awarded the "Agency for Cultural Affairs Regional Culture Merit Award," a national honor presented directly by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, for his outstanding long-term contributions to regional culture and the promotion of Asian art.

To clarify a minor detail here: Nobuto Udagawa himself was a Committee Member for the "Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize," responsible for promoting the award behind the scenes and gatekeeping the selection process; meanwhile, the highest regional cultural honor he personally received is the "Fukuoka City Culture Prize." His contributions to integrating Asian art resources and promoting transnational exchange are absolutely indispensable.

Famous arts and culture professionals from Japan, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong who have previously received the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize are as follows:

• Grand Prize: Fei Xiaotong (1993), Wang Zhongshu (1996), Hou Hsiao-hsien (1999), Zhang Yimou (2002), Mo Yan (2006), Ann Hui (2008), Tetsu Nakamura (2013)...
• Arts and Culture Prize (Chinese Laureates): Xu Bing (2003), Ju Ming (2007), Cai Guo-Qiang (2009).
• Special Commemorative Prize: Ba Jin (1990), Akira Kurosawa (1990).

Regarding Curator (Gakugei Iin): Yoko Mitsuyuki

Regarding the Curator: The biography of Yoko Mitsuyuki, a renowned Japanese Western-style painter and art educator, her intersections with related artists, and her important titles in international and Asian art organizations:

I. Biography and Profile

• Academic and Educational Achievements: Yoko Mitsuyuki is a Western-style painter enjoying a high reputation in both academia and the art world. Long dedicated to art education, she served as a professor in the Faculty of Fine Arts at Kyushu Sangyo University and as the Dean of the Graduate School of Art Research. She currently holds the title of Professor Emeritus at Kyushu Sangyo University
• Artistic Recognition: In her personal artistic creations, she has demonstrated profound expertise in Western painting. In 2008 (Heisei 20), she received the highly iconic "Fukuoka City Culture Prize (Western Painting Category)" in recognition of her outstanding contributions to local and contemporary art.

II. Titles in Global and Regional Art Organizations

Yoko Mitsuyuki is active not only within Japan but is also dedicated to transnational art exchanges in the Asian region. Her major titles include:

• Japan Committee, Asian Artists Federation: Serving as Vice Representative and Secretariat (from 2004 to present), actively promoting exchange and cooperation among artists across Asian countries.
• The 19th Asian International Art Exhibition: Served as a planning committee member for this large-scale international exhibition (2004).
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• NAU 21st Century Art United Association: Serving as a Curator and Recommendation Committee Member, she is the academic soul of the organization
• Japan Artists Association: Has been a member of this association since 1981.
• Fukuoka City Art Federation: Serving as a Director (since 1996).

For more detailed information, please browse:

[On-site Report] The 24th NAU 21st Century Art United Exhibition in Japan.