[Overseas Expansion Case Collection vol.12] Know the joy of being able to pursue one's own expression on the world stage (Mr. Hoshino Tomotoshi)

“Overseas Expansion Case Collection” vol.12 released!

The “Overseas Expansion Case Collection” series interviews people who have exhibited at events managed by Japan Promotion so far, and listens to valuable stories about reactions from countries around the world that they have actually witnessed and their subsequent activities.

In this section, which is the 12th in the series, the Japanese painter'sMr. Hoshino TomotoshiWe asked about changes of mind before and after exhibiting overseas, and points that only people are aware of when it comes to production overseas.

≪Click here for past articles≫
●vol.1 “Succeed in attracting tourists with a PR strategy that combines local characters and SNS! (Mr. Toshiaki Arisawa, Genki Creation Division, Susaki City)”
●vol.2 “Local reactions are the greatest harvest! Exhibited at Japan Expo Paris that got a lot of insight (Kyushu Economic Federation, Mr. Chiken Shigeyoshi)”
●vol.3 “Overseas exhibition experience triggered the “Oyabe Fairy Tale Party” (Mr. Yukihiro Funami, Tourism Promotion Division, Oyabe City, Toyama Prefecture)”
●vol.4 “Rediscover local appeal through overseas exhibitions, improving on-site responsiveness is also a major weapon (Mr. Hiromi Kobayashi, Tochigi City Hall General Policy Department)”
●vol.5 “Making “Awa Odori” the Common Language of the World (Creative Dance Group Takarafune)”
●vol.6 “Pursuing World-Class Japanese Beauty with a Multifaceted Approach (KIRIE)”
●vol.7 “Calligraphy that conveys the way of life on the world stage (Fukushita Taro)”
●vol.8 “Aiming for a new dimension of calligraphy that stimulates the five senses (Miho)”
●vol.9 “Refining traditional skills and hearts on a global stage (“Amezaiku Tsuruji” Takako)”
●vol.10 “Conveying the appeal of “Japanese festivals” through drawing (Mr. Kawase Tadashi)”
●vol.11 “If you notice, the world is so close! I also devised ways to promote myself and exhibit (Origami Art Okamoto Yuko)”

≪About current activities≫

Turn an idea from an overseas exhibition into a new product

Currently in 2021NY solo exhibitionProduction is underway for I'm in the middle of drawing a masterpiece of 4 folding screens, but what made me notice how good folding screens areTriggered by exhibiting at an overseas art fairThat was it. The culture of folding and decorating pictures is unique to Japan, and it has the advantage of being easy to carry even if it is large. While thinking about this and that composition that would only shine on a folding screen, I feel the response of being able to make a good work. The work will be completed almost before the deadline... In my case, I often draw several works at the same time, put them to sleep once after finishing them to a certain extent, then add and revise them for exhibition. Deepen your understanding by researching the countries they are exhibiting in, and listening to local conditions,I feel that drawing while imagining that country makes it easier for people to take interest in my workSo I'm aware of that.

≪Advice/Future Goals≫

Pursuing my own personality and continuing to draw

After experiencing overseas exhibitions,I want to pursue my own style even moreThat feeling became stronger. I hear about trends in each country, local conditions, and favorite motifs, but I don't change my style.Because it is an overseas stage, individuality is respected,This is because I think it will be recognized that I am using an expression like no other.
When I was exhibiting at an open call exhibition in Japan, apart from whether the work was good or bad, I was more than a little concerned about evaluations and how to get around within the art organization I belonged to. But that kind of worry is no longer necessary. From a broader perspective, for example, in the current art scene where contemporary art is in the limelight, I thought about how to catch people's eye as a Japanese painter... and I began to want to explore more unique techniques and themes instead of following trends. From now on, my goal is to continue drawing as I want toward my ideals.

≪Know-how for success≫

[Before exhibiting]
‍● Mainly in Japan, they were doing public call exhibitions of art groups they belonged to, and exhibited at department stores and galleries.
● Leave the promotion of the exhibition to the host organization or gallery.
● I almost always take suggestions from the other party when it comes to exhibiting, and I was interested when I heard about overseas exhibitions.
★ Point ★
I experienced exhibiting at an open call exhibition about once a year and doing group exhibitions with friends.
↓
[Support and ingenuity]
● We heard about trends in each country and local conditions from sales representatives beforehand, and received advice on topics that are taboo in the Arab world, and conversely, on motifs and color usage that are preferred locally.
● The exchange of work sales was smooth at WAD and the Paris exhibition hall. Japan Promotions, such as price negotiations, how to measure the timing of discounts, inquiries from purchasers who wish to buy, etc.
Thanks to Tough's quick response, it led to sales.
● They didn't prepare business cards to be distributed at the venue, and they created business cards as soon as I was in trouble.
● By receiving objective advice from Japan Promotion Staff, the direction became clear.
★ Point ★
I received objective advice and was able to gain a self-produced point of view.
Sales support was generous, and we were able to communicate smoothly.
↓
[Results]
● A consignment sales agreement was decided at the local gallery on the occasion of the WAD exhibition, and 2 works were sold.
● 3 works were sold at the Paris solo exhibition. (The buyers were a wealthy madam who lives in Paris and is an art collector; a man who lives in the suburbs and is a contemporary art collector who likes the work and bought it when he casually stops by a gallery; and a woman who also lives in the suburbs of Paris)
● 2 works are sold at ADIHEX. The work was also donated to the local royal family.
● Exhibiting overseas broadened my horizons, and I realized the importance of pursuing what I wanted to do and what I wanted to draw.
● I felt the global art scene firsthand, and my outlook on what I should do as a Japanese painter was determined.
★ Point ★
A consignment sales agreement was realized at a gallery in Dubai, and 2 items were sold.
3 items sold at a solo exhibition in Paris.
My direction as an artist was decided, and my motivation for production increased.
↓
[After that]
● Inspired by overseas exhibitions, they are taking on the challenge of creating works that have never been seen before.
● I am working on creating works with the aim of expressing expressions that cut down on superfluous things to a minimum.
● I plan to continue exhibiting at the NY solo exhibition 2021.
★ Point ★
Continue creative activities for the NY solo exhibition 2021.

Thank you very much, Mr. Hoshino, for sharing this valuable story!
In vol.13 that continues, the painter'sMs. Noriko MiyauchiI would like to ask you about the secret to making use of your overseas exhibition experience and continuing to express yourself in your own style.

◎ Interviewee: Tomotoshi Hoshino

[Events you exhibited at]
World Art Dubai “JAPAN TIDE” (2017)
Solo exhibition at “Étienne de Causanne Gallery” in Paris (2018)
‍ADIHEX “Miyabi” (2019)

●Hoshino Tomotoshi Homepage＞＞＞https://tomotoshihoshino.com/

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