Ota City Museum of Art and Library to Hold Art Exhibition "Book and Art Exhibition vol.6: Tracing"

About the Exhibition

This exhibition is the sixth installment of the "Book and Art Exhibition" series, which leverages the unique characteristics of a complex facility where books and art intersect.

This exhibition presents works created by "tracing" objects mediated by words, such as literary works. In this context, "tracing" means "following, receiving, and regenerating a certain object" in one's own way. Visitors will see works born from this act through the attempts of three artists. Natsuki Oshiro and Ryo Orikasa focus on literary works, while Haruka Matsumoto targets news of events spreading in society. Their methods of expression are diverse, including painting, installation, animation, lithograph, and manga.

In today's world, where the internet is widespread and life is inseparable from connections via social media, words and images are consumed in an instant, embedded in algorithms, and lead to the next consumption. This exhibition is held in the hope of providing an opportunity to slowly confront the way words and the images they create appear, and to once again turn one's thoughts to the imagination and creativity inherent in words.

Information

Name: Book and Art Exhibition vol.6: Tracing

Venue: Ota City Museum of Art and Library

Period: Saturday, July 18, 2026 – Sunday, September 6, 2026

Closed: Mondays (except July 20), July 21, 28, and August 25

Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry to exhibition rooms at 5:30 PM)

Admission: 500 yen (400 yen)

*The price in parentheses applies to groups of 20 or more, and holders of the Ota City Museum of Art and Library card or the "Furatto Ryomo" Tobu Free Pass. Free for students and younger, those aged 65 and over, holders of a physical disability certificate, mental disability health and welfare certificate, or rehabilitation certificate, and one accompanying person. On "Ota Family Day" (Sunday, August 2 and Sunday, September 6), admission is free for families accompanying children of junior high school age or younger.

Organizers: Ota City, Ota City Culture and Sports Promotion Foundation (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation)

Cooperation: Haruna Lake Artist Residency (Takasaki City), Yanai Initiative, Makoto Takayanagi, Printmaking Course, Department of Plastic Arts, Faculty of Art, Kyoto Seika University

Grant: Nomura Foundation (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation)

For more details:

Ota City Museum of Art and Library Website

Exhibiting Artists

Natsuki Oshiro, Artist

Born in Tokyo in 1985. Studied at the School of Culture, Media and Society, Waseda University (Expression and Arts Course), Asagaya College of Art and Design (Painting Expression Department), and the Graduate School of Art and Design, Tokyo Zokei University (Art Research Area).

Has presented works in Japan and abroad. Recent solo exhibitions in Japan include "project N94 Natsuki Oshiro" (Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery). In 2018, participated in the "Shell Art Prize 1st Residency Support Program" (Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris). Recipient of the 26th Holbein Scholarship. In 2025, stayed at Künstlerhaus Bethanien (Berlin) through the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Program for Overseas Study by Emerging Artists. Currently based in Berlin and Kanagawa Prefecture.

Transforms scenes from classical literature into colors, shapes, and patterns, presenting works in two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and installation formats. The scenes mediated by words are replaced with pastel-based colors, abstract forms, and repeating patterns, which also spread across walls, enveloping viewers in the space.

Ryo Orikasa, Animation Artist

Born in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1986. Studied at the College of Education, Ibaraki University, the Image Forum Institute of Moving Images, and the Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts.

Has presented works at film festivals and exhibitions in Japan and abroad. Awards include the "Ofuji Noburo Award" at the 70th Mainichi Film Awards for "Standard Datum" (2016), the "Grand Prix" at the Ottawa International Animation Festival for "Miserable Miracle" (2023), and the "Off-Limits Award" at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival for "Graffiti" (2025).

Creates animation works based on literary works using diverse techniques. Carefully reads and interprets written characters, their form, the words that evoke images, the rhythm and intonation of speech, and the author's background, then crystallizes them into video using the most suitable technique for each work.

Haruka Matsumoto, Printmaker and Artist

Born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1993. Studied in the Printmaking Course, Media and Plastic Arts Department, Faculty of Art, Kyoto Seika University, and the Printmaking Program, Painting Major, Graduate School of Art, Kyoto City University of Arts.

Has presented works in solo and group exhibitions. Recent solo exhibitions include "Channel 16 Haruka Matsumoto: Dream" (Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, 2025). Awards include the "Excellence Award" at "Kyoto Art for Tomorrow 2025 – Kyoto Prefecture Emerging Artists Selection Exhibition" (2025) and the "Jury Special Prize" at the 3rd Kinutaka Koji Art Award (2026).

Since 2021, has been active as a courtroom sketch artist based in the Kansai region. Creates images by tracing the course of actual events, producing lithographs in which she inserts self-portraits in place of the parties involved. Her works, created by tracing information through her own body, blend reality and unreality (imagination).

Related Events

1. Symposium by the Three Exhibiting Artists on "Tracing" [Application deadline: July 17]

The three exhibiting artists will discuss their works and the exhibition theme.

Date & Time: Saturday, July 25, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Speakers: Natsuki Oshiro, Ryo Orikasa, Haruka Matsumoto

Venue: 3rd Floor Audiovisual Hall

Target/Capacity: Open to all / 50 people

Fee: Free (requires exhibition ticket)

2. Children's Art Walk [Application deadline: July 24]

Museum staff will guide elementary school students and their guardians through the exhibition using worksheets. On this day, admission is free for guardians as part of "Ota Family Day."

Date & Time: Sunday, August 2, 11:00 AM – (approx. 40 minutes)

Venue: Exhibition Hall

Target/Capacity: 10 elementary school students and their guardians (up to 2 guardians)

Fee: Free (guardians also free due to Ota Family Day)

3. Gallery Talk by the Curator [Application deadline: July 31]

The curator will guide visitors through the exhibition, explaining the theme and works. Participants will receive a commentary sheet.

Date & Time: Sunday, August 9, 11:00 AM – (approx. 40 minutes)

Venue: Exhibition Hall

Target/Capacity: Open to all / 10 people

Fee: Free (requires exhibition ticket)

4. Enjoying the Museum with Babies [Application deadline: August 14]

Visitors can enjoy the exhibition while being guided on baby-friendly facilities. Perfect for a baby's first museum visit.

Date & Time: Saturday, August 29, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Venue: Exhibition Hall

Target: Babies aged 3 to 12 months and their guardians (up to 2 guardians)

Capacity: 5 groups

Fee: Free (guardians require exhibition ticket)

Application Method for Related Events (Common for 1-4)

Please apply via the application form on the museum's website. If the number of applicants exceeds capacity, a lottery will be held, and results will be announced.

Apply for related events here

Ota City Museum of Art and Library Official Website

Overview of Ota City

Ota City is located in the northern part of the Kanto Plain, in the southeastern part of Gunma Prefecture. It is one of Japan's leading industrial cities, centered on automobile manufacturing, while also blessed by the Tone and Watarase Rivers and the rich nature of the Kanayama and Hachioji Hills.