紀陽銀行 presents UNKNOWN ASIA 2023

JUDGES

We are pleased to announce the judges and reviewers of this year's UNKNOWN ASIA. Specialists who are active in the forefront of art and creative industry come to this art fair this year from inside and outside of the country. The judges will vote for the Grand Prix. In addition, each judge will prepare personal prizes and supplementary prizes and will support the winners.

  • Ryo Takahashi

    DMOARTS / digmeout / UNKNOWN ASIA Gallery Director, Art Producer

    PROFILE

    Born in 1988 in Osaka, he is the producer of "digmeout", an art project for FM802 / FM COCOLO. He has been involved in many art direction projects for clients. He is also the director of the art gallery DMOARTS. In 2015, he launched the Osaka-based art fair "UNKNOWN ASIA" and is a member of its Executive Committee. In 2018, he became the executive producer of "UNKNOWN ASIA”. And in 2020, he will launch "DELTA", a new art fair in Osaka.

  • COMMENT

    This year, artists and galleries from Japan and Asia will gather to create further art communication from Osaka. Please look forward to it!

    AWARD

    I will work with you as DMOARTS or digmeout according to the characteristics of the award winners.

  • Takeshi Ishikawa

    Skleton Crew Studio / UNKNOWN ASIA Studio Manager / Producer

    PROFILE

    1999-2017 As a faculty member at Osaka Designer College, involved in department and school management, new department establishment, student guidance, and industry-academia collaboration. 2015- Board member on the UNKNOWNASIA executive committee to launch the art fair 2017- Joined SkeletonCrewStudio Inc. and involved in the development of VR/AR, etc. Management staff of indie game event BitSummit 2015- Creative coordinator for government facilities and event planning (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto)

  • COMMENT

    We are waiting for strong artists not influenced by AI to take up the challenge!

    AWARD

    Establishment of a sub-award suitable for the artist. Offering client works and exhibition opportunities.

  • RYOICHI MATSUO

    TEZUKAYAMA GALLERY president

    PROFILE

    The gallery was opened in 1992 by Ryoichi Matsuo. It was originally located in Tezukayama, a residential suburb of Osaka. In March 2010 the gallery moved to Minami-Horie. In this new space, the gallery was renewed as a contemporary art gallery and named ‘Tezukayama Gallery’, after its original birth-place. Since it’s opening as a contemporary art gallery, the gallery has been giving emerging Japanese artists the opportunity to exhibit their work, both in the gallery and abroad. Exciting, contemporary art from current Japanese artists is the primary focus of the gallery. In April 2016 we opened the Viewing Room. As well as the works of artists other than those exhibited, we also display works from the gallery collection in this space.

  • COMMENT

    This is the 9th unknown asia. Every time I meet with many talented artists. I'm looking forward to what kind of encounters there will be this year!

    AWARD

    I would like to give necessary advice for the artist's future as a contemporary gallery handling contemporary artists.

  • Mavis Mak

    Sage House Curator / Director of Integrated Marketing Communications, Sage House / Co-Founder

    PROFILE

    Born in Hong Kong. She has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and PR for companies such as Walt Disney and Turner Entertainment. In 2010, she was the head of marketing communications and hospitality for the Indonesia Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo. He has worked on a wide variety of projects in Asia, including creative content development for department stores, commercial entertainment projects, and nation branding for the government's arts and culture sector. He later co-founded Sage House, which focuses on promoting the international expansion of artists from various countries into Asia, as well as international branding strategies for brands. Award 3 contract with Sage House to create business opportunities in China and to participate in an exhibition in Shanghai organized by Sage House in 2024.

  • COMMENT

    Dear UNKNOWN ASIA participants, Don't stop chasing dreams, believe in yourselves. Together, WE CREATE. See you all in Osaka, UNKNOWN ASIA Japan.

    AWARD

    For the Winner(s) of UNKNOWN ASIA, Sage House will offer a 3 years contract to provide business opportunities in Greater China region and showcase in Sage House Licensing Show for 2024 in Shanghai, China.

  • Jackie Lui

    Sage House Co-founder, Curator and Creative Director, Sage House

    PROFILE

    Born in Hong Kong. She was the Managing Parter for digital marketing companies such as Ogilvy, where she was responsible for digital and social media marketing for international brands such as Burberry, BOSS, and UGG, as well as brand awareness in the Greater China region. She has 20 years of creative marketing and project management experience, and is currently co-founder of Sage House, where he develops new media platforms and immersive brand experiences, and is at the forefront of developments in Greater China, providing strategic and marketing solutions for all areas of business. marketing solutions.

  • COMMENT

    Dear UNKNOWN ASIA participants, CREATIVES ARE OUR FUTURE! See you all in Osaka, UNKNOWN ASIA Japan.

    AWARD

    For the Winner(s) of UNKNOWN ASIA, Sage House will offer a 3 years contract to provide business opportunities in Greater China region and showcase in Sage House Licensing Show for 2024 in Shanghai, China.

  • NOBORU TSUBAKI

    KYOTO UNIVERSITY OF ARTS Professor

    PROFILE

    Contemporary Artist/ Professor at Kyoto University of Arts, Visiting Professor of Oil Painting at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts. MFA in Fine Arts from Kyoto City University of Arts Active on the world stage, including participation in the exhibition "Against Nature" in the U.S., for which he named the title himself in 1989, he conceived and became director of the Tatezoin Zen painting project in 2011 and "Artist's Fair Kyoto" in 2018. He is working on building an independent market for art. Currently, as the representative of ”Artotheque”, a commercial gallery affiliated with the graduate school, he leads the management of corporate collections for Universal Music headquarters, OCA TOKYO, DMGMORI, etc.

  • COMMENT

    I look forward to meeting artists with a cognitive system and new techniques without the déjà vu in the contemporary art market.

    AWARD

    Recommending the artist to the "Artists' Fair KYOTO" or possibly selecting the artist for the corporate collection planned by "Altotec."

  • Masahiko Murakami

    Skeleton Crew Studio, Inc. CEO

    PROFILE

    Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1980. After graduating from a Japanese design college in 2002, he moved to the United States. Mr. Murakami graduated from the San Francisco Academy of Art University Illustration Department in 2007.He was involved in multiple game titles as a concept artist before moving back to Japan in 2009. From there, he joined VITEI as an artist, and went on to become CEO of Vitei BACKROOM in 2015.Afterwards, he created Skeleton Crew Studio, Inc. in 2016. With game development technology at its core, he is currently developing VR/AR and other content while taking on new challenges in various fields such as urban development and event production..

  • COMMENT

    Developments in AI technology are creating new possibilities in the process of creating artwork. Some creators may feel threatened. However, AI is a machine and has no emotion or consciousness. In order to function, it needs creativity and sensitivity, which artists possess. Please do not be afraid of the changes of the times, utilize technology, and open up the art scene of the future.

    AWARD

    Opportunities to participate as an artist in projects I am involved in Example: - Games and other entertainment content - Main visuals for events - Exhibitions in domestic and international gallery spaces etc.

  • TSUKADA Monami

    The Chain Museum Co. Ltd / ArtSticker Art Specialist of Contemporary Art

    PROFILE

    Monami completed the Doctor's Degree program in Aesthetics and Art History at the Department of Letters at the graduate school of Seijo University. As she has experience in the academic side, primary galleries, secondaries (auctioneers, sales), and the distribution of contemporary art, she specializes in curation and collection-building consulting from a broad perspective, from up-and-coming young artists to those with high asset value. She works as an art specialist at "The Chain Museum", which operates "ArtSticker", and contributes interviews and market analysis articles to various media outlets.

  • COMMENT

    We look forward to seeing works of quality, concept, and scale not bound by traditional media or existing ideas but ready for overseas expansion.

    AWARD

    To be decided at a later date

  • SUBARU MATSUKURA

    Nue inc CEO / Creative Director / Planner

    PROFILE

    Subaru was born in Furano, Hokkaido, in 1983. He graduated from Ritsumeikan University, Department of Industrial Sociology. After working for production companies in Tokyo and Kyoto, he established "Ovaqe inc." at the end of 2011. He founded "Nue inc." in July 2017, specializing in planning, research, and creativity as a representative director. He has been developing communication design, planning, and strategic design regardless of the territory and has won many domestic and international design and advertising awards.

  • COMMENT

    We look forward to meeting new talent.

    AWARD

    Appointment in our projects and recommendation to other productions.

  • Shinsuke Kato

    Avex Creator Agency Inc. President

    PROFILE

    Entered Avex, Inc. in 2004. After being involved in the music business for years, he moved to the president's office, where he participated in structural reforms and new projects as the Director of the President's Office in 2016. In 2017, he became a group executive officer in charge of strategic human resources, group public relations, marketing analytics, and digital R&D. In 2018, he established a new business development and strategic investment function under the direct supervision of the CEO, which was incorporated as a new company (Avex Business Development, Inc.) in 2020. In 2022, he placed the creator domain at the core of the business development domain and established "Avex Creator Agency Inc." by integrating the multiple creator businesses and subsidiaries based by "Avex Business Development Inc." He manages various businesses in the "creators' art scene," including "MEET YOUR ART."

  • COMMENT

    I look forward to meeting artists not bound by pre-existing concepts but who I can imagine working across disciplines.

    AWARD

    We will consult about opportunities to perform at art events held at "MEET YOUR ART."

  • ODA EMIRI

    TV Asahi Corporation Business Produce Department, Business Management Division and Content Creation Department, Metaverse Department

    PROFILE

    She entered TV Asahi in 1999. After working in program promotion, IP business, video distribution business, and owned media management, she is currently in charge of planning and executing new business. As a producer of a program introducing contemporary art artists, she designed and produced virtual exhibitions and realized overseas distribution of the program. She is also involved in various art projects, including the SDGs art project "art to ART," which utilizes the scraps from the program's art sets, and is a member of new projects in the metaverse space and XR domain. She is also promoting "FUTURE TALENT PORT," an initiative with Forbes JAPAN to nurture innovators in the U30 age group.

  • COMMENT

    The expression field has expanded to include both real and virtual art, and the methods used are also diverse. We look forward to encountering artwork that transcends various frameworks and is created with free ideas.

    AWARD

    We would advise you on publishing an interview article, planning an art project, etc.

  • GOH GEEHWAN

    SOFT CORNER OWNER

    PROFILE

    Born in South Korea in 1985. After studying in Switzerland and Fukuoka in Japan, he returned to Korea in 2011. After working as the Korean branch manager of a Swiss shoe company and the director of a fashion brand, he established his own company," SOFT CORNER," in 2019. "SOFT CORNER" works as a space and brand to introduce diverse cultures by exhibiting art toys and artworks in galleries. He concentrates on overseas exhibitions and activities of Korean artists and also introduces young Japanese artists to Korea since 2023.

  • COMMENT

    We support and encourage you to create in your way without being bound by any rules.

    AWARD

    Offering opportunities to exhibit at "SOFT CORNER" and other Korean galleries and to participate in fairs

  • Carol Yang

    URDCT C&C Ltd.,/ Uspace Gallery Founder /Curator/show director of Infinity Japan Contemporary Art Show

    PROFILE

    From an art collector to a gallery owner, and then to become a curator of an art fair, in recent years, she has been invited to be a judge for some young artist awards that keep pace with the times. Hope to present the diversity of contemporary art by providing more opportunities and stages to talented artists.

  • COMMENT

    Osaka is a city with positive thoughts and actions, and the context of art should be the same. Looking forward to this year's UNKNOWN Asia bringing a rich art journey.

    AWARD

    Looking forward to meeting talented artists and providing opportunities for them to exhibit overseas.