Yuri Minagawa Joins MUFG's KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE Exhibition and Talk Event

Yuri Minagawa Joins MUFG's KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE

Renowned artist Yuri Minagawa is set to participate in the upcoming MUFG KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE program, an initiative that marries traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic expressions. This event, which includes a talk program and an exhibition, aims to support artisans in their creative endeavors while fostering cultural preservation and new cultural values. The overall supervision of the project is entrusted to Yushi Akimoto, an honorably retired professor from the Tokyo University of the Arts.

Event Details

Talk Program: "Crafts Towards the Future"

- Date & Time: August 19, 2025 (Tuesday), 13:30 - 15:30 (Reception starts at 12:30)
- Venue: Congress Square Nihonbashi, Hall AB

1-3-13 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan

- Organizer: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

Presenters (in alphabetical order)

- Representative Supporter: Yushi Akimoto
- Supporters: Chie Aoki, Keigo Uede, Takuro Kuwata, Rui Sasaki, Noritaka Tachi, Yondai Tanabe Chikun-sai, Takahiro Tayama, Shuji Nakagawa, Mahiro Nakada, Hiroto Nakamura, Haruhi Muta

Exhibition Sale

- Date: August 20 (Wednesday) - August 25 (Monday), 2025
- Venue: Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, 6th Floor, Art Special Gallery

Artist Spotlight: Yuri Minagawa

Yuri Minagawa, a dyeing decorator and artist, focuses her practice on the ethos of creating objects that enhance the quality of everyday life through color. Her works reflect a unique blend of happiness in daily life, inspired by her upbringing in a Zen Buddhist temple, where she learned to interpret colors as representations of both joy and the deeper philosophical concept of "color is emptiness."

Minagawa's coined term "senshoku"—which means to dye and to adorn—juxtaposes the natural irregularities of dyed colors with decorative elements, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind expressions.

Drawing from Zen Buddhist principles, her work embodies a "middle way" philosophy, where opposing forces do not separate but transform into a fluidity of expression known as "bi-logical expression." This approach merges sensory experiences with profound philosophical musings, creating an intricate tapestry of perspectives and identity.

For those interested in exploring her artistic journey, Minagawa actively shares her creations via her Instagram profile @yuri_minagawa.