Imagine a triangle inscribed within a circle. That triangle gradually expands. Its vertices push against the contact points and protrude outward. Tomoko Shichiri’s paintings were like such triangles inscribed within circles. The circle is “beautiful.” The triangle is “something unfamiliar.” In the new works that emerged after her illness, the triangle’s apex pierces this circle, opening a hole. Through that hole in the beautiful painting, the outside—perhaps a bottomless swamp—peeks through, and the eye is cast into boundless emptiness. The swamp, the void, darkens the painting, but this darkness is the backlight illuminating the beauty of Shichiri’s work. (Exhibition Planner: Hiroshi Okura)
Tomoko Shichiri
Born in Hokkaido. Completed Graduate School at Kyoto University of Arts, Department of Art Expression. Recent solo exhibitions include “Fragments of Memory” (Gallery MIYASHITA, Sapporo), “A presence rises” (Gallery & Space SIO, Osaka) in 2015, “Fleeting membrane” (Art Space Niji, Kyoto) in 2016, and others. At Niigata Eya, “Between the lines of the landscape” in 2014, “Reverberation” (Niigata Eya) in 2018, “you-you” in 2021, and “Scooping Light” in 2023. Her mezzotint works have been exhibited at Keibunsha Ichijyojiten, kit, Chise (Kyoto), Book & Gallery POPOTAMU (Tokyo), library & Gallery MAZEKOZE (Nagano) and Kitashoten (Niigata). https://tomoko-shichiri.com
Spinning thread and weaving cloth: Nobue Saito. Polishing stone and working metal: Nobuko Abe. Though their materials differ, Ms. Abe remarks, “Both are utterly analog, calmly and joyfully tackling incredibly labor-intensive tasks.” Yet the works born from this delicate, demanding handiwork remain infinitely soft and warm. Their first joint exhibition in four years. As winter approaches, I would like to enjoy seeing, holding, and wearing these pieces. (Exhibition Planner: Hiroko Ueda)
齋藤伸絵（さいとう のぶえ）
県内外で個展、グループ展開催、クラフトフェア出展。長岡造形大学市民工房、ソノキアトリエ染織講師。宮城県仙台市生まれ、新潟市在住。「ウール、絹、麻などの素材自体の違い、個体差もある繊維をそれぞれで、または組み合わせて“染めて紡いで糸にして織る”ことで新しく生まれてくる色、風合い、佇まい、そんなものにずっと魅せられて制作しています」
Nobue Saito
Holds solo and group exhibitions within and outside Niigata prefecture; participates in craft fairs. Lecturer at Nagaoka Institute and Design Citizen Workshop and Sonoki Atelier Dyeing and Weaving. Born in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; lives in Niigata City. Saito said, “I’ve always been captivated by the colors, textures, and presence that emerge when I dye, spin, and weave fibers—each with its own inherent differences and variations, whether wool, silk, or linen—either individually or in combination. This fascination drives my work.”
阿部信子（あべ のぶこ）
県内外で個展、グループ展を開催。アトリエNOVI主宰、新潟デザイン専門学校非常勤講師。新潟市在住。「ここ数年、ジュエリーを制作する傍ら自ら石を磨いています。石と金属はどちらも鉱物ですが個性も表情も全く違います。そのお互いの良さを活かすよう自然と対話をするような気持ちで制作をしています」
Nobuko Abe
Holds solo and group exhibitions within and outside Niigata Prefecture; Director of Atelier NOVI; part-time lecturer at Niigata College of Art and Design. Lives in Niigata City. Abe said, “For the past few years, alongside creating jewelry, I’ve been polishing stones myself. Though both stones and metals are minerals, their individuality and expressions are entirely different. I create with a mindset of conversing with nature, aiming to bring out the best in each of them.”
Hiroshi Okura’s writing sometimes wavers. While holding onto something unshakable, it suddenly sways. I don’t know if it’s intentional. But somehow, I get the feeling Okura himself enjoys watching it happen. That wavering has now taken shape, clothed in paint. Freed from the path of carefully choosing words to convey what must be said, these fluctuations seem somehow joyful, yet also a little frightening.
This is the form Hiroshi Okura takes. (Exhibition Planner: Eya Design Department dododo / Text: Hiroko Ueda)
Hiroshi Okura
Born in Niigata Prefecture in 1957. After working as a curator at the Niigata City Art Museum from 1985 to 1990, Okura became freelance art critic based in Niigata city. He is the author of Tokyo Noise (Art Village), co-author of Essa no Uzumibi (Niigata Nippo Jigyosha), and editor/composer of Sunouchi Toru no Fukei (Shunju-sha). He is the representative of Niigata Eya, the representative of Niigata Town Heritage Association, and the director of Sakyukan (former Bank of Japan Niigata branch president’s residence). Lecturer at Niigata University of International and Information Studies and Niigata Barbering and Beauty College. In 2009, 2012, Water and Land – Niigata Art Festival Advisor. In 2023, Okura’s first solo show at Niigata Eya curated by a painter Toshiro Shida.
Sho Fujiwara’s creations possess a “gentleness” bordering on sweetness as well as a “roughness.” The former manifests itself particularly in color, while the latter appears in brushwork and texture. This latter quality may represent the artist’s own rebellion against the former, or perhaps a desire to escape it. This persistent, strong, and resolute determination not to drown in his own gentleness is likely the source of the somewhat humorous appearance found in Fujiwara’s paintings and sculptures.
Like a circus clown who stirs laughter while subtly layering sadness or pathos, an indescribable duality of voice slowly seeps into the depths of the viewer’s gaze upon Fujiwara’s paintings. (Exhibition Planner: Hiroshi Okura)
Sho Fujiwara
Born in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, 1950. Strongly drawn to the dramatic expression of inner worlds in Spanish classical art. Graduated from the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Madrid, Spain) in 1979. Received the Tarabella de la Reina Award of Honor in 1977. Solo exhibitions held at Shimane Prefectural Museum, Gallery Hera (Stockholm), Gallery Mutsu(Chiba), Niche Gallery (Tokyo), etc. Held solo exhibitions at Niigata Eya in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2017. Participated in the “33rd 23 Plus Mugendai Exhibition” (Meguro Museum of Art Citizens Gallery) in July, 2025.
