Beyond the masses: the exploration of contemporary Japanese art through the works of Hisashi Tenmyouya

The phenomenon of contemporary Japanese art, characterized by its fantastical imagery and its deep-rooted connections to a millennia-old artistic tradition, evokes genuine interest. On the one hand, it demonstrates ties to Japanese pop culture both visually and thematically; on the other hand, there is a noticeable increase in the number of artists striving to distance themselves from this connection. In examining the specifics of the 2011 exhibition “Bye Bye Kitty!!!”, which united a new wave of Japanese artists, we identified distinct pathways of deviation from this established connection, manifested in a focus on themes of anxiety, deeper tragic experiences, and stylistic elements derived from past religious artistic traditions. Subsequently, the focus shifted to one of the key participants of the exhibition - the artist Hisashi Tenmyouya. The exploration delved deeper into the previously identified pathways of departure reflected in his oeuvre, while also characterizing specific approaches, including his reinterpretation of his own art in the style of neo-nihonga, which serves to actualize Japanese artistic tradition. Additionally, the examination encompassed the concept of Basara, which addresses lowbrow themes, along with the pursuit of new exhibition formats, exemplified by the presentation of art on a magazine as opposed to traditional gallery settings. This exploration aims to elucidate the nuances embedded within Tenmyouya’s artistic practice, as well as to situate his work within the broader discourse of contemporary Japanese art.