ADF Art Gallery Project Vol.44 | Solo Exhibition by Artist WAKANA 'i c m y'

ADF (NPO Aoyama Design Forum) will present the 44th edition of its art exhibition series, 'ADF Art Gallery Project,' featuring a solo exhibition by artist WAKANA titled 'i c m y' at GARDE Gallery in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, from June 22 to July 6, 2026. In this exhibition, WAKANA, who consistently creates works centered on emotions and human relationships evolving over time, will unveil new pieces. Through balloon-themed artworks, she questions the distance and overlap between people, as well as the contours of the self. An opening reception will be held on Monday, June 22, from 18:00 to 20:00, and all are welcome to attend.

WAKANA

The exhibition title 'i c m y' signifies 'unwavering colors.' Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow—the three primary colors—exist independently yet serve as the source of diverse hues. WAKANA draws a parallel between this nature of primary colors and human existence.

WAKANA

WAKANA

WAKANA

We live while being influenced by others' values, words, and environments. While such interactions open up new perspectives and possibilities, constantly adapting to our surroundings may cause us to lose sight of our true contours. In this exhibition, WAKANA treats the 'self' and the 'three primary colors' as equal entities, exploring the essence of pure color through paint texture and chromatic expression.

WAKANA

WAKANA

WAKANA

Born in 1998 in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. She began her artistic career in 2022. Her two-dimensional works express how emotions trapped inside due to inability to articulate them gradually fade over time. Underlying the suppression of emotions is 'human relationships'—while people gain support through connections with others, they also experience worries and conflicts. When tracing the roots of such inner unrest, people often look back into the past, returning to their origins. Although time constantly moves forward, emotions and thoughts freely travel between past, present, and future. Focusing on this invisible 'process' and 'PROGRESS,' she captures the moment where time and emotion intersect. The act of exploring the distance between diverse individuals resembles the process of observing and drawing adjacent balloons—information changes depending on neighboring balloons, and density varies with light and overlapping. This seems to reflect the importance of environment, as human relationships and spaces around us also influence who we become. She overlays these reflections in her work.

Solo Exhibitions

2026: squeak squeak, ALL DAY GALLERY, Tokyo

2026: i m c y, GARDE GALLERY, Tokyo

2024: world times gallery, Kobe

2024: A I, 3LFTN apartment Shibuya PARCO, Tokyo

Group Exhibitions

2026: AND COLLECTION Omotesando Hills, Tokyo

2025: Karimoku showroom, Kobe

2025: doujidai gallery, Kyoto

2024: The Artroom CUCINA showroom, Osaka

2023: TART MARKET 2023 OIL by Bijutsu Techo, Tokyo

2023: Hankyu Art FAIR 2023, Hankyu Umeda, Tokyo

2023: Art in Tokyo YNK, Tokyo Square Garden, Tokyo

2023: UPSET, DDDgallery Nagi, Tokyo

2022: my colour, gallery201, Tokyo

Art Fairs

2025: BANK ARTFAIR, Singapore

2024: ONE ART Taipei, Taipei

Competitions

2025: Independent Tokyo Takeshiba, Tokyo – Special Jury Prize

2024: Selected for 100 People Exhibition, Shibuya Cast, Tokyo

2023: Selected for 100 People Exhibition, Roppongi Hills, Tokyo

Exhibition Period

June 22 (Mon) – July 6 (Mon)

Reception

June 22 (Mon) 18:00–20:00

Hours

11:00–18:00 (until 17:00 on the final day)

Venue

GARDE Gallery

Closed

Sundays and holidays

Address

4F NBF ALLIANCE Building, 5-2-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Note

Please do not inquire about the venue location at the first-floor store.