Atsuo Nakagawa Art in Ipanema: Daily

By Matthew Elliott, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Japanese artist Atsuo Nakagawa unveils his latest exhibition ‘Tiger by Atsuo Nakagawa’ in Rio today. It will be his first display in the city and also marks the official Rio launch of the international shoe brand, Onitsuka Tiger.

The exhibition will take place at Ipanema‘s Homegrown, an independent art gallery and combined music and clothing store. Opening tickets are by invitation only and the show will run until September 21st.

Ten different works will be on display involving various media, such as acrylic on canvas, wood carvings and engravings. Influencing the work is the notion of a link between East and West. Traditional features of ancient Japan are juxtaposed with the technological and globalized New East to highlight the influence exercised on contemporary Japanese artists by the western world.

Atsuo Nakagawa has worked with several designer brands in Japan, fashioning mannequins and brand items. He is currently based in São Paulo, having arrived in Brazil without a word of Portuguese in 2011.

“I’m really looking forward to the exhibition. It will be the second time that I will have the opportunity to go to Rio, a city that I have much to learn about yet. The impression I got too is that Rio de Janeiro is more colorful. I have a recollection of having seen more colors than [in] São Paulo,” he said of the upcoming exhibit.

The art scene in Rio is often overshadowed by that of São Paulo, which for years has been a global art market hotspot. Galleries and artistic projects, however, are thriving in the Cidade Maravilhosa and over the coming weeks, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to explore some contemporary Japanese artwork in a unique setting.

What:”Tiger by Atsuo Nakagawa”
Where: Homegrown, Rua Maria Quitéria , 68 Mezzanine – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
When: August 31st to September 21st, Mon-Fri 10AM to 8PM, Saturday 12PM to 6PM
Entrance: Free (Invitation only August 31st)

Read more (in Portuguese).

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