Junko Watanabe’s paintings can be compared to calligraphy - abstract flow of black paint positioned boldly on the canvas, conveying emotions and momentum. The artist says that she wants to enclose her memories, emotions, and physicality in the tip of her paintbrush, and finish the work in the blink of an eye. The final product is a condensed moment of her artistic expression.
Her use of black paint seemingly suggests something abstract - perhaps shadows, past memories, or uncontrollable situations? Nevertheless, it evokes some ideas in the viewers. We can also find some of her paintings have quite realistic pieces of drawing juxtaposed with the black brushstrokes. The contrast is the essential part of her work, and what makes her work so memorable.
1984Born in Osaka
Solo exhibition
2009Gallery Kaze – Osaka
2010Gallery Kaze – Osaka
2012ギャラリー椿 GT2(東京)
Galerie Vanessa Rau(France)
2015Galerie Tzigane - Osaka
2016Gallery Kaze – Osaka
2017Gallery Den MINAMIYAMASHIRO VILLAGE - Kyoto
2021art gallery closet - Tokyo
Group exhibition
2007All Kansai Exhibition – Museum of Osaka City
2008All Kansai Exhibition - Museum of Osaka City
Shell Art Award - Tokyo
2009All Kansai Exhibition - Museum of Osaka City
Art Fair ART OSAKA
Art market of Kobe
KIAF (Korean Internationale Art Fair) - Seoul, Korea
2010Toyota Art Exhibition – Museum of Toyota City
All Kansai Exhibition - Museum of Osaka City
Art Fair ART OSAKA
Art Market of Kobe
KIAF (Korean Internationale Art Fair) - Seoul, Korea
Gallery Kaze- 3 artists’ show - Osaka
Gunma Biennale for Young Artists – Museum of Modern Art of Gunma - Takasaki
"Le Japon Vintage et Contemporain" - Gallery Vanessa Rau - Paris St-Ouen - France
2011KOBE ART MARCHE - Kobe
Wonder Seed – Tokyo
"Made in Japan" - Gallery Vanessa Rau - Chatou - France
2012ART KYOTO - Hotel Monterey Kyoto
2013ART OSAKA - HOTEL GRANVIA OSAKA
LILLE ART FAIR 2013 - France
2014ART OSAKA - HOTEL GRANVIA OSAKA
Young Creators Selection vol.2 - MI Gallery Osaka
The 21st century woman artist exhibition vol.7 - MI Gallery Osaka
The exhibition of a hanging scroll - Galerie Vanessa Rau France
Masae Imajo x Junko Watanabe exhibition - Gallery Jun Tokyo
charity exhibition "art for people" - Gallery Jun Tokyo
2015Mirei Gotou x Junko Watanabe exhibition - Gallery Jun Tokyo
2017Mirei Gotou x Junko Watanabe exhibition - Gallery Jun Tokyo
spectrum selection vol.4 HONEN-IN 4 people exhibition - Kyoto
ART OSAKA - HOTEL GRANVIA OSAKA
Award
2008First Prize – All Kansai Exhibition
Nakai Yasuyuki Jury Prize - Shell Art Award
