Biography

Tomoko Hokyo

contemporary artist

1984: Born in Chiba, JP
2007: Graduated with a BA in Fine Arts Majoring in Japanese Painting, Joshibi
University of Art and Design
Currently based in London, UK

The work of Tomoko Hokyo consists of memories of various phenomena that exist in nature and people, reconstructed on one surface, creating a new flow of time. She uses abstract expression with regularity and geometric patterns that are common in the natural and human worlds, while blurring the visual distinctions of each. Through this method, she communicates that all life consists of cells, and that humans are a component of nature.

Each material on earth has roots that extend from its genesis to the present. Stones, for instance, have the memories of diverse materials, from magma being cooled and crystalized, to sand and shells accumulating to form a rock. Humans have their own roots, too. Hokyo incorporates the cultural conception of time that humans have moved and developed, as memories of materials. This is apparent in the way that the history of metal and glasswork and her own roots are projected in the Cloisonné enamel she employs.

Hokyo’s abstract expressions are influenced by the regularity seen in the natural world, such as crystalline structures or bee hives. These patterns are overlapped with human movements to reveal similarities between nature and ancient times. In particular, for her, early cultural expressions, such as the Lascaux cave paintings and Japanese earthenware, evoke a means of connection between humans and nature. Hokyo incorporates the repetitive motions of handicraft work, painting, dancing, and so on in her art, repeating her motions many times through her production to achieve a depiction of traces of human time, akin to the beautiful embroidery left by our forebears.

[Material and Research]
Hokyo’s research ranges from plants and minerals that are familiar to her in daily life to icebergs and the aurora, and to historic landmarks. She oscillates between the micro and the macro while observing these things to experience the flow of time for both nature and humanity, and reflects on her thoughts related to them.
In order to pursue research on materials, Hokyo learned traditional Japanese painting skills and techniques to powder natural minerals and create paints. This experience is well utilized in her current production process. While she continues her research on materials and methods, retaining a sense of the importance of traditional approaches, she also aims to open new potentials. She did not only research paint as a material, but also learned how to work in Cloisonné enamel from traditional craftsmen – a part of her intention to absorb the flow of human culture in her work.
Hokyo will continue to collect materials from diverse countries and regions, and through her research into their historical context, produce work.

Exhibitions / Awards

Solo Exhibitions

2023 Solo Exhibition “Internal Environment” (Mitsukoshi Ginza, Tokyo)
2023 Solo Exhibition “Traces of Time” (Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo)
2022 Solo Exhibition “Traces of Time” (Hiltopia Art Square, Tokyo)
2022 Solo Exhibition “Traces of Time” (Himawari Gallery of Chiba Bank in COREDO Muromachi 3, Tokyo)
2019 Solo Exhibition “The world of I and Space and Plants” (Mitsukoshi Ginza, Tokyo)
2017 Solo Exhibition “The Secret Garden” (Yorozu Gallery, Tokyo)
2017 Solo Exhibition “Loves and Girls” (Mitsukoshi Ginza, Tokyo)
2016 Solo Exhibition “Destination of Pain/Sadness Breeding” (Renaissance Atyrau Hotel, the Republic of Kazakhstan)
2016 Solo Exhibition “Shinka” (Art Fair Tokyo)
2015 Solo Exhibition at Japanese Festival in Almaty (Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
2014 Solo Exhibition (The Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan)
2014 Solo Exhibition “Japanese paintings which bridge Japan and Central Asia” (Himawari Gallery of Chiba Bank in COREDO Muromachi 3, Tokyo)
2013 Solo Exhibition “Traditional Beauty” (Mitsukoshi Ginza, Tokyo)
2013 Solo Exhibition “Lifes in Asia” (Isetan Urawa)
2013 Solo Exhibition “Kochiikusei” (Yorozu Gallery, Tokyo)
2012 Solo Exhibition “Kachoga -SAKURA-” (Dorado Gallery, Tokyo)
2009 First Solo Exhibition (Gekkoso Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo)

Exhibitions in past

2024 Group Exhibition “Echos: The Art of Preservation” (FUSEBOX, London)
2024 Group Exhibition “ESSENTIAL STRUCTURES” (Gerald Moore Gallery, London)
2023 ART MARKET TENNOZ 2023 (WHAT CAFE, Tokyo)
2021 Group Exhibition (BIOME Gallery, Kobe)
2020 Group Exhibition “The Girl” (Ginza Mitsukoshi, Tokyo)
2020 Group Exhibition “BREAK ZENYA -Selection by Tomio Koyama-” (Hillside Terrace, Tokyo)
2019 Art Expo Malaysia
2019 Group Exhibition “Bijinga Zukushi 2nd” A book launch Exhibition (Art Morimoto Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo)
2018 Duo Exhibition “LIVES” (Isetan Shinjyuku, Tokyo)
2018 Christmas Art session (Takashimaya Yokohama)
2018 Group Exhibition (Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi, Tokyo)
2018 Group Exhibition “Seiseikai” (Takashimaya Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka)
2017 Group Exhibition “Break Zenya” (Bunkamura Gallery, Shibuya, Tokyo)
2017 Group Exhibition “Seiseikai” (Takashimaya Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka)
2016 Group Exhibition “Seiseikai” (Takashimaya Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka)
2016 Group Exhibition “New Year Japanese Painting Exhibition” (Art complex Center, in Shinjuku, Tokyo)
2015 Group Exhibition at 100th anniversary of foundation of Joshibi junior/high school of art and design (Ueno Royal Museum in Ueno, Tokyo)
2015 Duo Exhibition “Hanayagi no Iro” (Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo)
2014 Duo Exhibition “Sangaten (2nd)” (Gyouganji in Isumi, Chiba)
2014 Duo Exhibition “Sangaten (2nd)” (Gallery Shorewood in Aoyama, Tokyo)
2014 Group Exhibition “Hanayagi no iro” (Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo)
2013 Group Exhibition “Shunshouikkoku” (Gallery Uehara in Yoyogi, Tokyo)
2012 Group Exhibition “Adesugata” (Gallery Shorewood in Aoyama, Tokyo)
2012 Group Exhibition “Women artists selected by Fuyuhiko Yamamoto” (Mitsukoshi Ginza, Tokyo)
2012 Duo Exhibition “Sangaten” (Ginza Gekkousou, in Ginza, Tokyo)
2012 Group Exhibition “El debutante URAWA in 2012” (Isetan Urawa, Saitama)
2012 Art Fair “URUTORA 005” (Spiral Garden in Aoyama, Tokyo)
2011 Group Exhibition “Young Japanese Artists in 2011” (New York)
2011 Group Exhibition “Art Festival” (Toronto)
2011 Duo Exhibition “Sangaten” (Ginza Ougiya, in Ginza, Tokyo)
2011 Group Exhibition “Hyakka Ryoran” (Art complex Center, in Shinjuku, Tokyo)
2011 Group Exhibition “Yubi 2011” by students and graduated students from art universities in Japan (Tower Hall Funabori in Funabori, Tokyo)
2011 Group Exhibition by graduated students from Joshibi university of art and design (Art complex Center, in Shinjuku, Tokyo)
2011 Charity Exhibition for Great East Japan Earthquake “THANK YOU Exhibition” (DORADO GALLERY in Waseda, Tokyo)
2011 Charity Exhibition for Great East Japan Earthquake (Art complex Center, in Yokohama, Tokyo)
2011 Charity Exhibition for Great East Japan Earthquake (Art complex Center, in Shinjuku, Tokyo)
2011 Group Exhibition (DORADO GALLERY in Waseda, Tokyo)
2011 Group Exhibition “Exhibition of Light” (Ginza Gionishi, in Ginza, Tokyo)
2010 Group Exhibition “Exhibition of Art Imagination” (NHK Gallery, in Shibuya, Tokyo)
2010 Group Exhibition “Yubi 2010” by students and graduated students from art universities (Tower Hall Funabori in Funabori, Tokyo)
2008 Group Exhibition “Yubi 2008” by students and graduated students from art universities (Tower Hall Funabori in Funabori, Tokyo)
2008 Group Exhibition “WOMEN Painting” by Japanese painting department of Joshibi University (J-trip art gallery in Ginza, Tokyo)
2008 Duo Exhibition (Gekkousou Ginza, Tokyo)

Awards

2016 The 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, the 2017 Astana Expo Memorial “Internal Artist Competition” 3rd place
2012 “ACT Art Award 2012” Excellence Award
2010 “Painting selected by musicians award” in exhibition by Dorado International Artists Associations
2007 “Kato Nariyuki Memorial Award” as valedictorian of Joshibi University of Art and Design (Japanese painting department)

Workshop

2015 Workshop of Japanese painting (Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty, Kazakhstan)
2014 Workshop of Japanese painting (The museum of the first president of the republic of Kazakhstan in Astana, Kazakhstan)
2014 Workshop of Japanese painting (Japan Center in Astana, Kazakhstan)
2013 Workshop of Japanese painting for Children/Adults (Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo)

Media

2020 bayfm “MOTIVE!!” (Radio)
2019 J-WAVE “J-WAVE Tokyo Morning Radio” (Radio)
2019 FM Yokohama “Future Scape” (Radio)
2018 Nippon Broadcasting System “Entertainment Next” (Radio)
2018 Fuji Television “1H sense” (TV)
2016 BS Fuji “Break Zenya” (TV)
2016 FM Yokohama “Next artlogue” (Radio)
2016 Magazine interview (JICA)
2015 “Let’s take a look at word school” (Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
2015 Cool Japan (Web site, Spain)
2015 Tokyo Newspaper issued on 22nd of May
2015 Sankei Newspaper issued on 21st of May
2014 Kazakhstan Television
2014 Chiba Television
2014 Chiba Nippo issued on 4th of April
2014 Shinronavi (as alumna of Joshibi university of art and design)
2014 Tokyo Newspaper issued on 29th of March
2014 Mainichi Newspaper issued on 23rd of January
2013 Art Collectors (January, 2014), issued on 25th of December
2013 Tokyo Newspaper issued on 26th of December
2013 Saitama Newspaper issued on 26th of August
2013 Mainichi Newspaper issued on 9th of August
2013 Asahi Newspaper issued on 14th of August
2012 Weekly Post issued on 22nd of June

Public Collections

(titles omitted)
The Chiba Bank Ltd.
The museum of the first president of the republic of Kazakhstan in Astana(Nur-Sultan)
Republican Clinical Hospital for Veterans of the Patriotic War
Azusagawa Clinic (Matsumoto City)
Mate-Care Co., Ltd.
Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort
Other individuals

Designs and Projects

2017 Executed Seventeen Ceiling Paintings out of One hundred sixty of Kyakuden (reception hall) in Shoujuin Temple, Ujitawara town, Kyoto
2016 Book-Cover Design of Akihiko Nakamura, Shippu ni Orenu Hana Ari (The Flower was not Broken by Strong Winds) (Book Designer: Nobuyoshi Kikuchi) PHP Institute
2015 Front Cover of Chiba Bank’s Yearly Calendar