[Exhibition News] BEGIN’s Suguru Shimabukuro Holds His First Art Exhibition in Tokyo, Opening March 11

plus art co., ltd. (English name: plus art co.,ltd; head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; representative: Taku Nitta), which builds its business around the theme of enjoying contemporary art, will hold "Guitart Islandart," a solo exhibition by Masaru Shimabukuro—guitarist and vocalist of BEGIN, the three-member band from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa—from March 11, 2024, at +ART GALLERY on the 3rd floor of Tokyu Plaza Shibuya.

Having operated its gallery for three years on the 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square, at the heart of Shibuya, +ART GALLERY now begins a new chapter on the 3rd floor of Tokyu Plaza Shibuya within the new Shibuya commercial complex, Shibuya Fukuras. +ART GALLERY will continue to present exhibitions aimed at growing the community of people who enjoy collecting art and at supporting artists' careers.

About Solo Exhibition "Guitart Islandart"

In his student days, Masaru Shimabukuro had aspired to enter an art university. With a long-standing interest in painting and design, he created the cover artwork for BEGIN's CDs, among other work. While he had often painted as a hobby, his move to Okinawa about ten years ago became the catalyst for him to begin creating art in earnest.

Drawing inspiration from music and from the culture and daily life of Okinawa, he has shown his work in various art exhibitions, and last year he held his first solo exhibition, "NEIRO ~Bringing Sound and Color into Daily Life~," within Okinawa Prefecture.

"Guitart Islandart" marks Shimabukuro's first solo exhibition in Tokyo.

The first piece Shimabukuro created after moving to Okinawa	A sound hole crafted to turn the guitar body into a speaker, with designs applied to it. An iPad is built inside so that the sound of waves plays along with video
A past exhibited work	A past exhibited work

The title "Guitart Islandart" was

Guitart = a coined word combining "Guitar," the instrument Shimabukuro plays in BEGIN, with "ART"
Islandart = a coined word combining "Islander" with "ART"
—and it was named by Shimabukuro himself.

Created by Shimabukuro, who is active on the island of Okinawa, his works are rich in nature in their colors and motifs and are filled with a perspective unique to an islander. As a guitarist, he also depicts guitars and creates works built on distinctive ideas using the guitar—pieces that could only come from Shimabukuro.

On Wednesday, February 21, he released "55rpm," his first-ever solo album

On Wednesday, February 21, he released his first-ever solo album, "55rpm"! A lineup of distinguished guest artists with ties to Masaru Shimabukuro takes part in the album. The album cover for this release is a self-portrait painted by Shimabukuro himself, to be shown for the first time at this exhibition

(Special site: https://www.teichiku.co.jp/artist/shimabukuro-masaru/55rpm/ )

A talk on his works & a mini live, by the artist himself

On the final day of the exhibition, Sunday, March 17, Shimabukuro himself will give a talk on his works along with a mini live performance. For details, check the BEGIN BEGIN official website!

We invite you to keep an eye on Masaru Shimabukuro, who is active in many fields beyond music.

A comment from the artist (Masaru Shimabukuro)

I can hardly believe I'm having my own solo exhibition in Tokyo!
I feel a little shy about it, and at the same time I keep wondering what kind of exhibition to make—but I'd love for as many people as possible to come and see it.
I hope that, through my solo exhibition, the joy of painting, the joy of enjoying music, and that sense of fun comes through to everyone!

Solo Exhibition ARTIST: Masaru Shimabukuro

Profile

Profile / ART

In his student days, Masaru Shimabukuro had aspired to enter an art university. With a long-standing interest in painting and design, he had often painted as a hobby, but his return to Okinawa about ten years ago became the catalyst for him to begin painting in earnest.
Taking instruments and everyday subjects as his motifs, and "life and music in Okinawa" as his theme, many of his works capture in "color" the Okinawan nature that leaps into view. He has shown his work in a variety of art exhibitions, and in 2023 he held his first solo exhibition in Okinawa, "NEIRO ~Bringing Sound and Color into Daily Life~." The cover of this latest album is also a self-portrait painted by the artist himself.

Profile / Music

Born on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, he is the guitarist of BEGIN, who debuted in 1990 with "Koishikute" and has since continued to release songs—such as "Shimanchu nu Takara," "Nada Sōsō," and "Egao no Manma"—that have been sung and passed down by people of all ages. He has released work as Shimobukure Records, a unit with Isamu Shimoji, as well as "Masaru Shimabukuro (BEGIN) with Ichigo Ichie All Stars plays Disney," among others.
In recent years he composed "Umi no Koe," which became a hit as a commercial song, and he has provided and produced songs for a wide range of artists.
He is also active as a guitarist in Two Tones with Kantaro Uchida, and for Shingo Maekawa of Kariyushi 58 and for Isamu Shimoji and the Mango Twisters.

<Information>

● "55rpm" special site: https://www.teichiku.co.jp/artist/shimabukuro-masaru/55rpm/
● BEGIN Official HP: https://www.begin1990.com
● YouTube "BEGIN ch": https://youtube.com/@BEGINch

How to purchase works

From 11:00 on March 11, the works for sale will be announced and displayed on the +ART Online Shop or in store (+ART GALLERY) and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Merchandise and other items will also be on sale at the venue. Details will be announced later via social media and other channels.

Days in attendance / Press