Japanese artist Masakazu Iwasaki staged his solo exhibition featuring the “Neo Japanism” style in his airbrush paintings on March 5, 2025, at the Beato Angelico Building Gallery.
For Iwasaki, in his artist statement, his original style was an attempt to challenge new artistic expression, incorporating modern techniques and sensibilities tethered from the Japanese sense of aesthetics and culture.
His works demonstrated the power of airbrushes in creating realistic textures and smooth gradation. Motifs such as dragons and koi were auspicious images in the oriental culture, included in his exhibit.
Present in his works also was the 500-year-old technique of pasting 24k gold leaf on the canvas, which served as the arena of his expression, similar to ink painting.
The College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) organized the exhibit to promote peace and friendship between the two countries.
“This year marks the 80th anniversary of the war’s end, and I would like to start an event through art, spreading its appeal while wishing for peace and smiles all over the world,” Iwasaki said.
The exhibit can be viewed until March 8, 2025 and is open to the public.
