#Japan #Tokyo #Akira Inumaru #ADF Gallery #Light Art

ADF Art Gallery Project Vol.36: Akira Inumaru's 'Garden of Lights'

From October 10 to October 22, 2025, the ADF (Aoyama Design Forum) will host the 36th installment of the ADF Art Gallery Project featuring a captivating solo exhibition titled 'Garden of Lights' by Akira Inumaru at the GARDE Gallery in Omotesando. This event marks Inumaru's return to Japan for his first solo exhibition since relocating to France over 18 years ago.

About Akira Inumaru

Born in 1984 in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Akira Inumaru is an innovative artist who utilizes various forms such as painting, drawing, performance, and installation. His work explores the vast and universal theme of 'light,' perceiving it as a tangible substance. Recently, Inumaru has developed distinct techniques, primarily focusing on a series of drawings where he utilizes a magnifying glass to scorch parts of his paper artworks using sunlight. He also envisions pigments and acrylic mixtures as 'light paste,' further emphasizing the transformative nature of light in his artistic expressions.

Inumaru delves into the duality of light, which can symbolize life, hope, and knowledge while also possessing the capacity to destroy and decay if too intense. Through this exhibition, he aims to express the potent energy of 'light' in his creations, sharing the experiences of light that he has encountered during his prolonged stay in France.

Previous Exhibitions and Achievements

Throughout his career, Akira Inumaru has held numerous exhibitions, both solo and group, illustrating his evolution as an artist. Some notable solo exhibitions include:

• - 2024: 'Plantes, Witness of Light' at the Botanical Garden Greenhouse, Krakow
• - 2024: 'Chambres Ardentes' at the Saint Maclou Church, Rouen
• - 2023: 'Mon Cher Jardin' at the Château de Villandry, France
• - 2022: 'Cimes et Racines' at the Saint-Tuoin Church, Rouen
• - 2018: 'Botanique' at the Luxembourg Gardens Greenhouse, Paris

In addition to solo showcases, he has participated in various group exhibitions across Europe and Japan, continuously exploring the relationship between nature and light.

Awards and Recognition

Inumaru has received several accolades throughout his career, showcasing his artistic impact. Notably, in 2022, he was awarded the 'Bourse Arts Visuels' grant from the Seine-Maritime department, and in 2019, he was recognized with a third place in the prestigious Antoine Le Marn award.

Event Details

• - Exhibition Duration: October 10 (Friday) - October 22 (Wednesday), 2025
• - Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• - Location: GARDE Gallery, Omotesando
• - Closed on: October 18 (Saturday), Sunday, and public holidays

This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to engage with Inumaru's artistic perspective and the compelling ways he reflects on light. This event not only represents an artistic comeback for him but also invites audiences to contemplate the remarkable interplay of light in art and life.

For more information, visit: Art ADF Official Website