
岸本清子 -天下布愛-
Sayako KISHIMOTO
Tenka-Fuai: Kiyoko Kishimoto Exhibition
Venue: SHUMOKU GALLERY
Address: Lions Mansion Shirakabe 112, 4-25 Shirakabe, Higashi-ku, Nagoya 461-0011
Dates (Open Days):
March 13 (Wed), March 23 (Sat), April 3 (Wed), April 13 (Sat), April 23 (Tue), 2019
Hours: 18:00–24:00
SHUMOKU GALLERY is pleased to present a solo exhibition of artist Kiyoko Kishimoto (1939–1988), marking the inaugural show at our new space. This is our second exhibition of Kishimoto’s work, following her 2017 retrospective.
Entitled Tenka-Fuai ("Universal Love"), the exhibition centers on a series of portraits of Oda Nobunaga, one of the most respected historical figures by Kishimoto. Several such portraits created around 1984 prominently feature the phrase “天下布愛” (“Tenka-Fuai”)—a poetic rephrasing of Nobunaga’s motto Tenka Fubu (Rule the Realm by Force), altered by Kishimoto to convey a message of love.
These dynamic and vivid works—painted with Kishimoto’s signature bold brushwork and unique palette—incorporate elements that evoke manga and graffiti aesthetics. As pioneering expressions from the 1980s, they remain powerfully resonant today. Coincidentally, like Nobunaga, Kishimoto passed away at the age of 49. This exhibition marks the first public display of these late-period, significant works since her death.
Special Opening Schedule:
The gallery is only open on days containing the number 3, in reference to Kishimoto’s affection for the number. The exhibition hours, from 6 PM to midnight, pay homage to Neo-Dada Organizers, a group Kishimoto participated in, known for their midnight exhibitions.
Artist Biography
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1939. Kishimoto graduated from Aichi Prefectural Asahigaoka High School’s Art Department and entered the Japanese Painting program at Tama Art University. From 1960, while still a student, she participated in Neo-Dadaism Organizers, a radical avant-garde collective alongside Ushio Shinohara, Genpei Akasegawa, and Masunobu Yoshimura. Kishimoto was the only female member. She was active in Tokyo during the 1960s and '70s, returning to Nagoya in 1979 following a diagnosis of breast cancer. She passed away in 1988.
Concurrent Program:
Special Display at SHUMOKU CAFE:
"Sakura & Tulips"
Talk Series by Shunkichi Baba
Talk #2: "Around Kiyoko Kishimoto – Her Life and Work"
Date: March 16, 2019 (Sat)
Doors open: 17:30 / Start: 18:30
Venue: SHUMOKU CAFE, within the Shumokukan Cultural Path Residence
Capacity: 20 persons
Fee: 3,000 yen