Naoko NISHIYAMA
1985 born in Nara (currently residing in Tokyo)
B.A. in Literature, Nara Women’s University
Exchange Program, Faculty of Letters, University of Paris VII
Master in Humanities and Sociology, University of Tokyo
My artistic practice has been influenced by the existentialist
philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. His thought suggests that human beings
find themselves constrained by circumstances and by the gaze of others,
yet remain responsible for creating their own essence through their choices.
My work abstractly portrays individuals who critically examine social
expectations and conventions and choose their own way of being. The
particles are mutable, while also representing an unknown substance that
does not exist on Earth. Through countless particles, I express how
confronting oneself and determining one’s own existence means stepping
onto an unknown path.
This project aims to visualize the possibility of redefining one’s
existence beyond socially imposed labels and attributes. Although
transformation involves anxiety and solitude, I believe uncertainty
contains the power to break free from existing frameworks and create new
forms of life.
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■Solo exhibitions
2026 “La Nausée” (Art Space Rashimban, Tokyo, Japan)
2025 “Vivid Flow” (Kobe Hankyu At Trunk Gallery, Hyogo, Japan)
2020 “Between Abstraction and Representation” (Wine salon veraison, Osaka, Japan)
■Group Exhibitions
2026
‘The 2nd Namiki Gallery Open Call Exhibition’, Namiki Gallery, Tokyo
‘Independent Tokyo 2026’, Tokyo Port City Takeshiba, Tokyo
‘swimmy2026’, Atelier Sangatsu, Osaka
‘The big small show 2025’ (Selected), Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, USA
2025
‘Formless’ – Selected, Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, USA
‘ZEROTEN 2025 – Osaka’ – Daimaru Umeda ART GALLERY UMEDA, Osaka
‘Kyoto Art Fair 2025’, Gallery Koko-wan, Kyoto
‘Art Expo New York’, Pier 36, New York
‘Roma Art EXPO’, Medina Gallery, Rome
‘Art That Exists Right Now’ Exhibition, Chakichian Gallery, Osaka
‘AXIS EAST Exhibition’, Art Space Rashinban, Tokyo
‘80th Anniversary Gen-ten Exhibition: Winners’ Exhibition, Tokyo’, Galerie Shimon, Tokyo
2024
‘Tatsukon’ GALLERY Tatsuya, Aichi
‘JAPAN ART WEEK in Breeze’ Breeze Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
‘Interconnecting Lines’ One Art Space, New York
‘Art Shopping Paris’ Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
‘80th Anniversary Gen-ten Exhibition: Kyoto Art Fair’ Gallery Koko-wan, Kyoto
‘10th F0 Open Call Exhibition: Miniature ZERO 2023’ Saigado S-SPACE, Iwate
‘Neo Universe Exhibition’ Chakichian Gallery, Osaka
‘AXIS EAST Exhibition’ Art Space Roshinpan, Tokyo
2023
‘Tatsukon Super’ Gallery Ryuya, Aichi
‘Ryuya Flora and Fauna Aquarium’ Gallery Ryuya, Aichi
‘ZEROTEN AICHI 2023’ Gallery Ryuya, Aichi
‘9th F0 Open Call Exhibition: Miniature ZERO 2023’ Saigado S-SPACE, Iwate
‘#Self-Nominated and Nominated by Others: Asking About the Present Exhibition’ Gallery Ryuya, Aichi
‘ZEROTEN OSAKA 2023’ ART GALLERY UMEDA, Osaka
‘AXIS EAST Exhibition’ Art Space Rashinban, Tokyo
2022
‘Summer Selection Exhibition’ Galerie Shimon, Tokyo
‘ZEROTEN 2022 TOKYO’ GALLERY TATSUYA TOKYO, Tokyo
‘GENTEN New Year Art Fair 2022’, Galerie Shimon, Tokyo
2020
‘Tatsukon 2020’, Gallery Tatsuya, Aichi
In-store exhibition at ‘Yakitorin’, Roppongi, Tokyo
‘Tatsupure 2020’ (Selected Artist), GALLERY TATSUYA TOKYO, Tokyo
‘LIFETIME Exhibition’, Boji art+hair gallery, Tokyo
‘ZEROTEN 2020’ (18th out of 100) Gallery Tatsuya, Aichi
‘ZEROTEN 2020’ GALLERY TATSUYA TOKYO, Tokyo
‘The 6th Breath of Sensibility Exhibition’ Miraie Gallery, Osaka
‘Cabbage Exhibition’ Boji art+hair gallery, Tokyo
■Awards
2026
Grand Prize at the 2nd Namiki Gallery Open Call Exhibition
2024
80th Anniversary Gen-ten, awarded the 80th Anniversary Exhibition Prize
2023
2nd Tokyo World Exhibition – Paris 2023 – awarded the Excellent Prize
11th Tokyo Gen-ten, awarded Encouragement Prize
2021
77th Gen-ten, awarded the Rookie of the Year Prize