Zenzaburo Kojima
Zenzaburo Kojima is an incomparable artist who boldly merged duality of cubic expression obtained in his studying days in Europe and Japanese flatness-expression in the same canvas. In particularly at landscape painting, he had achieved merger of flatness and cubic depth which Great Picasso had never achieved. And he also had succeeded in configurating compatibility of emotion and color. He applied these dynamics freely into still-life painting and flower― vase painting in his final years. The paintings were strictly configurated one by one, and they have been giving viewers still pleasure and satisfaction.
Now many of his works are still gorgeously adorning museums and large firms’ lobbies and executive- rooms.
Biography
1893 Born in Fukuoka city Japan.
1912 Graduated from Fukuoka Prefectural Shuyukan High School. Entered to Nagasaki School of Medicine.
1913 Left the medical school during the term to go up to Tokyo aspiring to be a painter.
1914 Failed the entering examination for Tokyo School of Fine Arts, started studying painting by himself. Left Tokyo for home because of illness, and went up to Tokyo again.
1922 Awarded for Nika Exhibition
1924 Travel to Europe. Stayed in Paris, Spain and Italy.
1929 Returned home. 24 pieces of during the stay in Europe was shown in Nika Exhibition as highlight.
1930 Became a member of Nika association, however left the organization in November. Founded the Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai (Independent Art Association).
1951 “Road to the Japanese Alps” was shown at the 20th memorial exhibition of Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai, then the work became a collection of National Museum of Modern Arts Japan.
1953 Solo exhibition at Saegusa Gallery in Tokyo.
1955 “Dahlias” and “Spiraeas and Callas” became a collection of National Museum of Modern Arts Japan.
1957 “Atami” was shown at the International Exhibition.
1958 “Mountain Lake” “Road to Japanese Alps” and “Mimosa Arrangement” were shown at the Japanese Modern Art Exhibition tour in Europe.
1959 “Spiraea and Callas in Persian Vase” was shown at The Exhibition of Japanese Modern Still life Painting held by National Museum of Modern Arts Japan.
1960 Solo Exhibition of new works at Nihonbashi Gallery
1961 “Nishi-Izu” was shown at the 29th Exhibition of Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai.
1962 Died at the age of 69
1993 Exhibition of commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth
Self-Portrait in Black Cloak, oil on canvas, ca1914, 53.2×45.6cm, collection of Kurume City Art Museum
“I am now considering of meaning of oblivion of individuality. If painter loses his entire character, he is not able to paint at all. Nowadays singularity of painter is regarded as individuality, this is not right. I do believe that painting has great value only if individuality of the painter stands solemnly with ignored singularity. ”
— Zenzaburo Kojima, letter to Mr.Hiroshi Okubo, 18th December,1940 in Kokubunji
Mother in Blue Kimono, oil on canvas, 1922, 81.0×65.0cm
“Solemn world like glittering constellations in winter-Anemone is shining divinely in my canvas by God’s will, as if it had just fully bloomed at once in the world of phenomena.Alas, what a magic! What a blessing for artist! Painter avoids worldly pleasure and concentrates on his work diligently. The reason is he is seeking nothing but moment of jubilation! I am sure work of art with which its creator has gone off into ecstasy must give the same rapture of life to the viewers.”
— Zenzaburo Kojima
“Sometimes it takes 2-3 years to finish one painting of around No.10 size.In normal case it takes 1 year, and in faster case it may take around a half year. Mostly I can advance up to 70% and then I have difficulty to draw with my paintbrush without further and deeper consideration. Then I am forced to watch that painting everyday thinking about best effective way without using brush. If I fail to find good solution, I must keep my painting untouched for 2months or even 3months.”
— Zenzaburo Kojima