Born New Art Comes to Osaka
plus art co., ltd. (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo; representative: Taku Nitta), a company built around the theme of enjoying contemporary art, is pleased to announce that it will hold "Born New Art in OSAKA" at the Contemporary Art Gallery of Hankyu Men’s Osaka.
"Born New Art"—Witness the Moment a New Art Culture Is Born
Launched at the ＋ART GALLERY in March 2021 to invigorate Japan’s art scene, "Born New Art" has, over three editions, brought together more than 80 artists who—regardless of genre or background—are giving birth to the art of the coming era. This time, as a touring edition at the Contemporary Art Gallery of Hankyu Men’s Osaka, ＋ART GALLERY has handpicked six artists whose distinctive styles make them ones to watch, presenting "Born New Art in OSAKA."
Participating Artists
（日本）Geoffrey Bouillot / 中津川翔太 / 廣瀬祥子 / DAI GOTO. / Yeka Haski / 真田将太朗
（En） Geoffrey Bouillot / NAKATSUGAWA Shota / SHOKO Hirose / DAI GOTO. / Yeka Haski / SANADA Shotaro
Geoffrey Bouillot
Geoffrey Bouillot is a French artist, born and raised in Chalon-sur-Saône (Burgundy, France) in 1990. For the past 13 years he has been based in Japan, specializing in monochromatic works. Recently, he has begun introducing color into his pieces, adding a new dimension to his practice.
His multicultural background runs deep, and he is forever seeking to fuse different styles and techniques into unique works bearing his own unmistakable signature. Passionate about portraiture, he has developed a style marked by clean lines and a refined aesthetic, inspired by Japanese pop and traditional culture as well as the codes of manga.
More recently he has also taken on pop art. As the father of a three-year-old daughter, he experiences pop culture from a fresh perspective—rediscovering his own childhood heroes through her eyes while being constantly surrounded by these popular characters in Tokyo. This approach reflects a deeper meditation on the hyper-consumerism of contemporary society, throwing into relief how painting is so often seen not as a sacred art form but as just another standard consumer good.
Geoffrey Bouillot believes it is vital for an artist to live in—and bear witness to—their own time. Pop culture, then, is no longer merely a movement; it has become part of the very fabric of our culture.
▶️＜English Bio＞
Geoffrey Bouillot is a French artist, born and raised in Chalon-sur-Saône in 1990 (Burgundy, France). For the past 13 years, he has been based in Japan, where he has specialized in creating monochromatic artworks. However, recently, he has begun to incorporate color into his works, adding a new dimension to his artistic practice.
His multicultural background has deeply influenced him, and he constantly strives to merge different styles and techniques to create unique pieces, bearing his unmistakable signature. Passionate about portraiture, he develops a style characterized by clean lines and a streamlined aesthetic, inspired by both Japanese popular and traditional culture and the codes of manga.
More recently, he has also ventured into creating pop art pieces. As the father of a 3-year-old daughter, he experiences pop culture in a different way, rediscovering his childhood heroes through her eyes and being constantly exposed to these popular figures in Tokyo. This approach reflects a deeper reflection on the ultra-consumerism of today’s society, where painting is often perceived as a standard consumer good rather than a sacred art form.
Geoffrey Bouillot believes it is important for every artist to live in their time and be a privileged witness to it. Thus, pop culture is no longer limited to a mere movement; it has become the very fabric of our culture.
中津川翔太 / NAKATSUGAWA Shota
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1987. Graduated from the Department of Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, in 2009.
Captivated by traditional crafts, he taught himself Japanese-style painting (nihonga) and succeeded in weaving graffiti imagery into it. Adopting the silkscreen technique—rare in the world of nihonga—he produces work with genuine global appeal. By bringing contemporary art into a Japanese culture whose traditional crafts are at risk of being lost, he creates work attuned to the present day, winning tremendous support from every quarter.
Recently he has exhibited successfully at two major museums, the Ueno Royal Museum and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and in October 2019 he also exhibited at the Louvre in Paris. He continues to broaden his reach, working not only in Japan but overseas as well (Asia, Europe, and beyond).
▶️＜English Bio＞
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1987. / Graduated from the Department of Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 2009.
Captivated by traditional crafts, he self-taught Japanese painting and successfully incorporated graffiti imagery. / He introduced the rare silkscreen technique in the world of Japanese painting, producing works that have global appeal. / By integrating modern art with traditional crafts, he creates contemporary works that resonate with the current era, garnering immense support from various quarters. /
Recently, he has successfully exhibited at two major museums: the Ueno Royal Museum and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. / In October 2019, he successfully exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris. / He continues to expand his activities not only in Japan but also overseas, including Asia and Europe.
廣瀬祥子 / SHOKO Hirose
Graduated from the Department of Oil Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, in 2018. After graduating she worked as a designer in the game industry, and today she works across the two fields of fine art and illustration.
Under the concept of "an approach to painting made possible precisely by today’s era, in which the boundary between the digital and physical existence has grown blurred," she produces and presents paintings using a range of techniques—such as first printing out works created in a digital environment, then reworking them by hand with drawing media.
Active as an illustrator under the name "Hirose," she creates a wide variety of work and has provided illustrations for popular domestic and international games and light novels as well as titles such as "Hatsune Miku," drawing attention as one of the artists leading the illustration scene.
Major exhibitions include the solo show "［Departure］from Unreality: A Slumber’s End" (2023/Hanshin Umeda Main Store), the solo show "Life in a ‘PARALLEL’ world" (2022/Hankyu Men’s Tokyo), and ART OF MIKU (2024/Shibuya & Sapporo Parco).
▶️＜English Bio＞
Graduated from the Department of Oil Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 2018. / After graduation, she worked as a designer in the gaming industry and currently operates across two domains: art and illustration. /
Her concept is “An approach to painting that is possible precisely because the boundaries between digital and physical existences are becoming ambiguous in the modern era.” / She produces and presents paintings using various techniques, such as outputting works drawn in a digital environment and then applying physical media on top of them. /
Under the name “Hirose,” she is also active as an illustrator, creating a wide range of works. / She has provided illustrations for popular domestic and international games, light novels, and works such as “Hatsune Miku,” making her a notable figure in the illustration scene. /
Main Exhibitions: Solo Exhibition “Departure from Unreality: A Slumber’s End” (2023/Hanshin Umeda Main Store) / Solo Exhibition “Life in a ‘PARALLEL’ World” (2022/Hankyu Men’s Tokyo) / ART OF MIKU (2024/Shibuya & Sapporo Parco) /
DAI GOTO.
Artist and actor. Born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on April 5, 1995. Weaving together stories within his own distinctive worldview, he draws original, vividly individual characters. He has also exhibited overseas, in Shanghai, Taiwan, and elsewhere.
Self-taught in drawing and design from childhood, he works in a variety of methods—oil painting, acrylics, airbrush, and combinations of digital and analog art. His activities range widely, from apparel design to logo creation for television programs.
Alongside his work as a painter, he also performs as the actor "Dai Goto," appearing in "Kamen Rider Geats," "Kamen Rider Zi-O," the musical "The Prince of Tennis," the stage play "Hypnosis Mic," and the musical "Black Butler." He has also appeared on NHK’s "Bitworld," where his own illustrations have been featured.
Major exhibitions: Shimokitazawa Tully’s Coffee Solo Exhibition (2024) / DDD ART Nagi Solo Exhibition (2024) / Imperial Hotel Gallery H&T Joint Exhibition (2024) / Shibuya Fukuras ＋ART GALLERY Solo Exhibition (2024) / Shibuya Scramble Square ＋ART GALLERY Solo Exhibition (2023) / WHAT CAFE EXHIBITION vol.25 (2023) / GINZA SIX "GINZA COLLECTOR’S CLUB" (2022) / Solo Exhibition "Kaika VIVI GALAXY," OZ studio Shibuya (2022) / Design Festa vol.55 (2022) / Nippon TV "1-Day Company": title logo, character design, and on-screen caption illustrations (2022) / Nippon TV "Aitai-san ga Notte Kita!—A Bus Tour to Meet the Stars": title logo and caption illustrations (2022) / Solo Exhibition "Tsubomi" (2021)
▶️＜English Bio＞
Artist and Actor. Born on April 5, 1995, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. With a unique worldview, he combines stories to create original and distinctive characters. He has exhibited his work overseas in places such as Shanghai and Taiwan.
From a young age, he self-taught drawing and design. He creates works using various methods, including oil painting, acrylic painting, airbrush, and combining digital and analog art. He is active in a wide range of fields, including apparel design and logo creation for television programs.
While working as a painter, he also acts under the name “Dai Goto” and has appeared in “Kamen Rider Geats,” “Kamen Rider Zi-O,” the musical “The Prince of Tennis,” the stage play “Hypnosis Mic,” and the musical “Black Butler.” He has also appeared on NHK’s “Bitworld,” where his illustrations have been featured.
Main Exhibitions:
Shimokitazawa Tully’s Coffee Solo Exhibition (2024) / DDD ART Nagi Solo Exhibition (2024) / Imperial Hotel Gallery H&T Joint Exhibition (2024) / Shibuya Fukuras +ART GALLERY Solo Exhibition (2024) / Shibuya Scramble Square +ART GALLERY Solo Exhibition (2023) / WHAT CAFE EXHIBITION vol.25 (2023) / GINZA SIX “GINZA COLLECTOR’S CLUB” Exhibition (2022) / Solo Exhibition “Kaika VIVI GALAXY” at OZ studio Shibuya (2022) / Design Festa vol.55 (2022) / Nippon TV “1-Day Company” Title Logo, Character Creation, and Subtitle Illustrations (2022) / Nippon TV “Meeting Celebrities on a Bus Tour” Title Logo and Subtitle Illustrations (2022) / Solo Exhibition “Tsubomi” (2021)
Yeka Haski
Yeka Haski is a visual artist based in Tokyo.
Yeka Haski’s artistic style fuses bright, dynamic color with fluid forms—spreading a sense of joy while expressing the flow of imagination and the ever-restless state of a creative mind. The core message of Yeka’s art is the importance of never ceasing to dream.
At the heart of Yeka’s artistic universe is an enigmatic, bunny-like boy named Michi. More than a mere character, Michi serves as an imaginary friend, a fearless guide, and a devoted companion. He is the brave adventurer exploring a surreal Meltyland inspired by Yeka’s passions, dreams, and memories. In this creative universe the boundary between reality and fantasy dissolves, opening a space where anything is possible. Here, the imagination knows no limits and dreams flow freely.
▶️＜English Bio＞
Yeka Haski is a visual artist living in Tokyo, Japan.
Yeka Haskis artistic style is a fusion of elements – bright and dynamic colors that spread the sense of joy, and liquid shapes that represent the flow of the imagination and the state of a creative mind that never rests. The core message of Yeka’s art is the enduring importance of never stopping to dream.
At the heart of Yeka’s artistic universe stands a mysterious bunny-like boy named Michi.
Michi is more than a mere character; he embodies the roles of an imaginary friend, a fearless guide, and a devoted companion. He is the brave explorer navigating a surreal Meltyland, a realm inspired by Yeka’s passions, dreams, and memories. Within this creative universe, the borders between reality and fantasy melt away, leaving behind a space where everything is possible. It’s a place where the imagination knows no bounds and dreams flow freely.
真田将太朗 / SANADA Shotaro
Born in 2000. After graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, he is currently enrolled in the master’s program at the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, University of Tokyo. An 8th-term scholarship recipient of the Kuma Foundation. Presenting large-scale paintings on the theme of "new landscapes," he pursues interdisciplinary aesthetic research—through both painting and the development of artificial intelligence—into whether human creativity might also reside in communication with the extended body.
Selected as the first artist for "Google Japan × Gen Z Artists," he has held live painting events at Makuhari Messe and has large paintings permanently installed at home and abroad, including at JR Nagano Station and JR Ueno Station, among other wide-ranging activities.
Major solo exhibitions include "Process Landscape" (2024/Ginza Tsutaya Books), "Solo Exhibition" (2024/Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taipei), "OVER" (2024/STREET DREAMS STUDIOUS TOKYO), and "ACROSS" (2023/Bumpodo Gallery).
▶️＜English Bio＞
Born in 2000. / After graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, he is currently enrolled in the Master’s program at the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, University of Tokyo. / He is an 8th-term scholarship student of the Kuma Foundation. / While presenting large-scale paintings themed “New Landscapes,” he explores interdisciplinary aesthetic research through painting and artificial intelligence development, investigating whether human creativity also resides in communication with augmented bodies. /
Selected as the first artist for “Google Japan × Generation Z Artists,” he has held live painting events at Makuhari Messe and has large paintings permanently installed in various locations, including JR Nagano Station and JR Ueno Station, both domestically and internationally. /
Main Solo Exhibitions: “Process Landscape” (2024/Ginza Tsutaya Bookstore) / “Solo Exhibition” (2024/Taipei Shin Kong Mitsukoshi) / “OVER” (2024/STREET DREAMS STUDIOUS TOKYO) / “ACROSS” (2023/Bumpodo Gallery) /
The Contemporary Art Gallery at Hankyu Men’s Osaka
Located in the heart of Umeda, Osaka, the Contemporary Art Gallery at Hankyu Men’s Osaka is a contemporary art gallery that actively presents exhibitions by acclaimed artists from Japan and abroad as well as by rising young talents. Since opening in March 2022, it has held solo shows by the likes of Shun Sudo, yutaokuda, and Masami Yamazaki, earning high regard among art collectors and enthusiasts.
How the Works Will Be Sold
The works for sale will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis in store (the Contemporary Art Gallery at Hankyu Men’s Osaka) from 11:00 a.m. on July 31.
Purchases can also be made through the online shop "HANKYU HANSHIN E-STORES."
*Orders are placed via a method called Remo Order.
Further details will be announced in due course on social media and elsewhere.
HANKYU HANSHIN E-STORESInquiries About the Works
If you would like a list of the works with prices, please contact us at the address below or via Instagram.
*Please refrain from sharing it externally.
If you would like a list of works, please contact us at the address below or Instagram.
Please refrain from publishing your work externally.
Mail Address：contemporary_art_gallery@hankyu-hanshin-dept.jp
Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/hankyu_mens_gallery/
Event Overview
・Venue name: Contemporary Art Gallery, Hankyu Men’s Osaka (B1F)
・Exhibition title: Born New Art in OSAKA
・Dates: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 – Monday, August 12, 2024
・Hours: Weekdays 11:00 – 20:00; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:00 – 20:00
・Venue: 7-10 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0017
・Access: Directly connected to "Osaka-Umeda Station" on the Hankyu lines / 2-min walk from Exit 1 of "Higashi-Umeda Station" on the Tanimachi subway line / 5-min walk from the east exit of "Osaka-Umeda Station" on the Hanshin line / 5-min walk from the south exit of JR "Osaka Station"
View access on the website
・Admission: Free
・URL：https://web.hh-online.jp/hankyu-mens/shop/?cid=mgs_art
・Organizer: plus art co., ltd.
・Operated by: Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores, Inc.
