Born in 1982 in Aichi, Japan
Lives and works in Japan
In Tomoko Nagai’s artworks, various animals, children, colorful trees and mushrooms are depicted in a theatrical arrangement against the backdrop of forests and domestic rooms. Loaded with a multitude of motifs, each of Nagai’s paintings embraces a unique sense of spatiality, wherein a dynamism that encapsulates the worlds of fictional narratives intricately overlaps with layers of images. The colorful matière and brushstrokes form a fantastical rhythm as the artist exercises an expression akin to composing a musical piece. The viewer perceives this melody while standing face-to-face with each painting. This evokes a sense of being inside the painting, as the viewer’s own memories and experiences – nostalgic sensations, recollections and dreams from childhood – connect with the worldview represented in each artwork.
solo shows
2022
- All Aboard the Spaceship – A Kaleidoscopic Scene, Project Fulfill Art Space, Taipei, Taiwan
- Botanical Holidays, MITSUKOSHI CONTEMPORARY GALLERY, Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo, Japan
2020
- It’s Dazzling Softly Like Heaven, and, Toyokawa City Sakuragaoka Museum, Aichi, Japan
- Spring and Weeping Cherry, GALLERY OHRIN, Izumo Taisha Hitachi Shrine, Ibaraki, Japan
2019
- Nurie no Fuchi ga Kiete-iku: Coloring Beyond the Edges, Roppongi Hills A/D Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2018
- A Hundred Years and Cherry Blossom Tree in October, Ebihara Shoten, Tokyo, Japan
- Room with Colorful Flowers, 6F Artspot, Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo, Japan
- Atelier in Peach and Rose Color, Magic, 8/ ART GALLERY/ Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2017
- Thousands of Finches, Roppongi Hills A/D Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- Tale of Nippon Umeboshi, Mizuho Oshiro Gallery, Kagoshima, Japan
2015
- The Hairy House in Midsummer, 8/ ART GALLERY/ Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2014
- Amber Light and Carpet of Dropped Chestnuts, Roppongi Hills A/D Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2013
- Dramatic Moments, Tomio Koyama Gallery Singapore
2012
- It might be true (continued), Roppongi Hills A/D Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2011
- Small Planets and Many Kids, Mama Kid, Hong Kong
- Recital Day in June, Mizuho Oshiro Gallery, Kagoshima, Japan
- 2010“In the room of Toccata, Roppongi Hills A/D Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- Winter Wind and Konko, Tomio Koyama Gallery Kyoto/ TKG Editions Kyoto, Japan
2009
- Tomoko Nagai by ZOF, BEAMS T Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan
2008
- project N 33, corridor, 4th floor at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- A child and an owl and a gray cat sparkling on Sunday, Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2007
- Bara mo Uma ni Uta ni Midori mo Niwa, Tokyo Wonder Site Hongo, Tokyo, Japan
- Bara mo Uma ni Uta ni Midori mo Niwa' SHINJUKU ART ∞ VOL.02, the temporary enclosure at OIOI City Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
group shows
2024
- When Two Collections Meet: Co-curated by the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art and the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Nagoya, Japan
2023
- In flower enthusiasts, Art Gallery, Isetan Shinjuku Store Main Building 6F, Tokyo, Japan
2022
- Under Current Satellite Exhibition, N&A Art SITE, Tokyo, Japan
- Under Current, Powerlong Museum, Shanghai, China
- EXODUS, K11 MUSEA, Hong Kong
2021
- Bijin-ga Revolution!, Aspirante, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Rokko Meets Art 2021, Mt. Rokko, Hyogo, Japan
- Vacation, Gallery Vacancy, Shanghai, China
2020
- The Splendid Mountain, Hiro Hiro Art Space, Taipei City, Taiwan
2018
- Tomio Koyama Gallery: Works from the Gallery Artists and the Collection 3, 8/ ART GALLERY/ Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2017
- 10th ASYAAF (Asian Students & Young Artists Art Festival), Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul, Korea
- Tomio Koyama Gallery: Works from the Gallery Artists and the Collection 2, 8/ ART GALLERY/ Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2016
- 21st HEART EXHIBITION, 3F Event Salon, Tokyu Department Store Shibuya Honten, Tokyo, Japan [traveled to 7 other locations in Japan]
- DECO・DECO・DECO!, Main Building 7F Exhibition Hall, Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo, Japan
2014
- KISS THE HEART #3, Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
- Ginza Mitsukoshi x Tomio Koyama Gallery, Art Selection, Ginza Mitsukoshi 8th Floor Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2013
- Tokyo Painting II - Mindscape between interior and exterior, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Gallery B, Tokyo, Japan
- Ginza Mitsukoshi × Tomio Koyama Gallery Art Selection, Ginza Mitsukoshi 8th Floor Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- JAPAN ART EXHIBITION, Isetan Singapore
2011
- JAPANCONGO, Magasin - Centre national d'arts et de cultures, Grenoble, France
- Girlfriends Forever!, Tokyo Wonder Site Hongo, Tokyo, Japan
- Future Pass -From Asia to the World, Collateral Event of the 54th International Art Exhibition - la Biennale di Venezia, Abbazia di San Gregorio, Palazzo Mangilli-Valmarana, Venice, Italy
- Pathos and Small Narratives, Gana Art Center, Seoul, Korea
2010
- VOCA 2010, Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo, Japan
- Passion Fruits Picked from The Olbricht Collection, me Collectors Room Berlin, Germany
2008
- Haptic: Group Exhibition by Artists from Brazil and Japan Curated by Vik Muniz, Tokyo Wonder Site Hongo, Tokyo, Japan
2006
- Cow Parade TOKYO IN MARUNOUCHI 2006, Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
- Tokyo Wonder Wall 2006, Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, Japan
2005
- Mandragora and Three Horns, YEBISU ART LABO, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
public collections
- Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
- Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art
- The Franks-Suss Collection
- The JAPIGOZZI Collection
- Olbricht Collection
- Ryutaro Takahashi Collection
- Toyokawa City Sakuragaoka Museum
- The Zabludowicz Collection