©FASHION HEADLINE
"TADANOBU ASANO EXHIBITION PLAY WITH PAIN(T)," a solo art exhibition by Tadanobu Asano, an actor and artist with a unique presence, will be held for five days from April 2nd to 6th, 2025, at the event hall on the 6th floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo. This exhibition will be Tadanobu Asano's first large-scale solo exhibition at Isetan Shinjuku and will be one of the largest to date.

"No. 113" Cardboard (72cm x 118cm) ©ASANO TADANOBU
Tadanobu Asano is an active artist who continues his career as an actor, having previously held solo exhibitions at venues such as the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art and Parco Art Gallery. In 2018, he published his art book "error" through Little More, expanding the scope of his diverse artistic expression. This exhibition will feature over 200 pieces, including a selection of the artist's vast oeuvre, as well as new works. In addition, for the first time, original artworks that have never been available for sale will also be available for purchase.

"No.018" Watercolor (27.5 x 21.4 cm) ©ASANO TADANOBU
While working as an actor, Asano says he began to calm his mind by engrossed in painting during long waiting times for film. In particular, during the filming of the 2013 film "The Disappearance of Luomandi," he found himself facing language and cultural barriers in a foreign land, and painting became a new means of self-expression. Since then, he has continued to create one piece of art a day, sometimes as many as four or five a day, for over ten years, and has produced an incredible body of work to date, totaling more than 3,500 pieces.

"No.062" Drawing (37x24cm) ©ASANO TADANOBU
"Paintings and art are encounters with emotions, and they always provide me with the hints I need," says Asano. This exhibition explores the theme of "PLAY WITH PAIN(T)," which underlies Asano's art, and features a collection of works that dynamically express the energy hidden deep within our emotions. Through the medium of painting, these works create a special space that stimulates each viewer's emotions.

I once ran a drawing workshop for children. I handed out small notebooks and said, "Try drawing anything you want." While everyone was busy drawing flowers, trees, houses, and people, one child simply continued to paint their notebooks bright red.

Perhaps he lacked motivation, or perhaps he couldn't think of anything. No matter how many pages he turned, the pages were filled with nothing but red.

Trying not to say anything unnecessary, I asked, "What are you painting?" The child looked straight at me and said, "Autumn!"

I couldn't say anything. I felt ashamed of myself for thinking, with my strange adult sensibility, that he hadn't drawn anything. In one red-painted notebook, the child was diligently painting "Autumn." There, there was truly a picture of autumn.

Why does it move me so deeply?

Perhaps that's what paintings, art, are all about. Whether it's a sudden, burning shock or a calm, serene encounter with a painting is also an encounter with emotion.

You may feel happy, your heart may be startled, you may be deeply moved, you may discover something new, you may feel relieved, you may want to cry, or you may feel energized.

Life often doesn't go as planned, but I have survived by drawing, touching and playing with paintings. --PLAY WITH PAIN(T)

In this space, please feel free to feel as your heart desires. Please simply enjoy the paintings by Tadanobu Asano. I would be delighted if you have a wonderful encounter.

― Tadanobu Asano

©ASANO TADANOBU
Tadanobu Asano
Born in Yokohama in 1973.
He made his acting debut in a TV drama in 1988 and also worked as a model and musician.
He made his silver screen debut in 1990 in "Bataashi Kingyo" and grew into a distinctive actor, appearing in films by Shunji Iwai, Shinji Aoyama, and Hirokazu Koreeda. He gained recognition through roles such as "Gojoe: The Legend of Gojo" (2000), and won the Japan Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for "Zatoichi" (2003) and "Kabee" (2008). He also appeared in international films early on, winning numerous awards, including the Best Actor Award in the Controcorrente section of the Venice Film Festival for "The Last Two People on Earth" (2003, directed by Pen-ek Ratanaruang). He played the role of Kashiwagi Yabuju in the TV drama series "Shogun," which began airing in 2024, and became the first Japanese to win the Best Supporting Actor award in the TV drama category at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.


©ASANO TADANOBU


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