Yuriko Sasaoka, Contemporary Artist
Right now, post-COVID, I am curious about where tourists from across Japan and around the world are going and what they are doing. Osaka has a strong reputation for its local food, but there are still many amazing spots that I do not know about. I have been wanting to experience more of Osaka’s culture, and in particular I really want to see a bunraku puppet performance at the National Bunraku Theater! It may sound surprising, but Osaka produces many famous artists that are active around the world. However, I have this impression that there are few contemporary art museums and galleries, and I wish that there were more places for these artists to showcase their work. Even so, there is the National Museum of Art, Osaka, located on the island of Nakanoshima in the middle of the city, where you can see some truly high-quality contemporary art.
I am more of a stay-at-home person, but I go to this museum every time there is a new special exhibit. There are so many exhibitions I see here that allow me to renew my appreciation for art and leave a deep impression on me. For example, in the middle of the pandemic in June 2020, there was the “Danh Vo oV hnaD” exhibit, which surprised me with how impressive and moving the pieces were. In such unsure times, the exhibit inspired courage in me to keep going. Someday, I want to exhibit works at the National Museum of Art that inspire courage in someone else! Biography Sasaoka Yuriko 1988 Born in Osaka, Japan 2012 B.F.A in oil painting from Kyoto City University of Arts 2014 M.F.A in oil painting from Kyoto City University of Arts studying in doctor’s program in media arts at Kyoto City University of Arts record of awards 2014 “Art Award Tokyo Marunouchi 2014” Akira Tatehata prize “Graduation at Kyoto City University of Arts “ Encouragement award 2015 “The 12th Gunma Biennale for Young Artist” be accepted "The 18th Japan Media Arts Festival” Art Division Jury Selection 2016 “The 19th Exhibition of the Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art “special prize” 2017 “The 13th Gunma Biennale for Young Artist” Grand prize 2018 "The Best Young Artist Award by City of Kyoto" 2019 “Kyoto Art for Tomorrow 2019 – Selected Artists in Kyoto” The Museum of Kyoto/ Gold prize 2020 “Sakuya-Konohana Award” “Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Award : Encouragement Prize
