Jin Nakamuraナカムラ ジン
A contemporary world of image and form.
Biography
Born in Nagano in 1959, Jin Nakamura graduated in 1984 from Shinshu University’s Faculty of Education, where he studied fine arts and crafts with a focus on metal casting. That year, he received the ANA Award at the eighth Japan Graphic Exhibition.
His exhibition history brings together contemporary art, Buddhist imagery and explorations of Jōmon forms. INORI’s profile lists exhibitions across Japan, alongside presentations in Italy, Taiwan, Monaco and Paris.
- 2006
Contemporary art exhibition, Lucca, Italy
- 2012
Art Fair Tokyo; contemporary artists’ tea bowls at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi
- 2013
RIMPA MODERN, Isetan Shinjuku
- 2015
The Form of Buddha, Nagano; Image Universe, Taipei; ART Monaco; YIA Art Fair, Paris
- 2016 & 2020
Jōmon Idols exhibitions, Asama Jomon Museum
- 2017
KaNAM Challenge Wall, Karuizawa New Art Museum
- 2022
Buddhas that Accompany Our Lives, Ginza Tsutaya Bookstore
- 2024
Monzen Millennium Festival, Zenkoji Daikanjin Juryoin; Buddhist Statue Gallery Mikami, Kyoto
Old symbols, vivid new lives.
Born in Nagano, Nakamura trained in metal casting. His exhibition history moves between Buddhist imagery, Jōmon-inspired idols and contemporary art. In this collection, armoured figures, a bodhisattva and Ebisu appear alongside exuberant creatures and everyday objects.
The twelve zodiac-titled works invite a connection with the Twelve Divine Generals, protectors associated with Yakushi, the healing Buddha. Historical Japanese representations link these guardians with the twelve zodiac signs. Nakamura’s bold colour and animated figures offer a contemporary encounter with that inherited visual language.
In the artist’s world.
