#Japan #Tokyo #The Chain Museum #Kumakura Ryoko #Yamazaki Ai

Upcoming Art Exhibition: 'Links, Embed Images'

Mark your calendars for May 31, 2025, as Gallery & Bakery Tokyo 8-Minute announces an exciting double exhibition featuring artists Ryoko Kumakura and Ai Yamazaki. This event marks the seventh presentation by this unique gallery that merges an art gallery with a bakery and café, creating a space for art enthusiasts and food lovers alike to come together.

The title of the exhibition, 'Links, Embed Images', is derived from the function in Adobe Illustrator that refers to linking and embedding images. It serves as a metaphor for the artists' approaches to imagery in their artwork, drawing parallels to the technological concepts of external referencing and internal integration.

Both Kumakura and Yamazaki are part of the digital native generation, born in the early 1990s. While they incorporate digital methodologies into their creative processes, their art remains firmly rooted in traditional painting techniques. Kumakura's works challenge our understanding of visual perception by integrating historical images and varied representations, raising questions about the essence of 'seeing' through multi-layered compositions. In contrast, Yamazaki explores the meaning and significance of painting within the digital age, using images frequently shared on social media as the foundation for his art, creating a dialogue between digital permanence and artistic expression.

Notably, Yamazaki will present a monumental piece measuring over three meters in this exhibition. Attendees can anticipate a rich tapestry of influences, as both artists invite visitors to witness the resonance and probing inquiries within their works.

This exhibition will showcase artworks available for purchase exclusively through ArtSticker, enhancing the accessibility and interaction between art and its admirers.

Exhibition Details

• - Dates: May 31, 2025, to July 1, 2025
• - Venue: Gallery & Bakery Tokyo 8-Minute
• - Address: 1-7-1 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0031, Japan
• - Hours: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• - Closed: Open every day during the exhibition
• - Admission Fee: Free
• - Access: 3-minute walk from Exit 6, Kyobashi Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line), 5 minutes from Exit B1, Nihombashi Station, and 8 minutes’ walk from Yaesu Central Exit, Tokyo Station.
• - Exhibition Page: ArtSticker

Artists' Profiles

Ryoko Kumakura: Born in Tokyo in 1991, she graduated with a major in oil painting from Tama Art University in 2014. Her work examines the process through which people derive understanding through images over time, using multiple perspectives to construct her pieces. Kumakura blends representational techniques with doodle-like lines to create works that challenge visual perception and the nature of reality.

Ai Yamazaki: Born in Sapporo in 1994 and currently based in Kyoto. He completed his education in the field of oil painting and is currently a doctoral student in printmaking at Kyoto City University of Arts. Yamazaki's artworks stem from images shared on social media and aim to address how painting can resonate in a world increasingly dominated by digital media.

Venue Information

Gallery & Bakery Tokyo 8-Minute is the product of a collaboration between The Chain Museum and The City Bakery, aiming to create an inviting space for artistic expression and culinary enjoyment in the heart of Tokyo. The architectural design, led by Daisuke Motonari, reflects a museum-like ambiance, allowing visitors to engage with art in a setting that cultivates interaction and conversation.

Look forward to future exhibitions, including works by Tomoya Tsukamoto and Rin Yusuke Sano, coming up later in 2025. Join us in celebrating the fusion of art and everyday culture at Gallery & Bakery Tokyo 8-Minute.