[First Time in Shizuoka] "Sold-Out Painter" Kenta Nakajima's Irreplaceable Beauty

Horizon of Anonymity

Sunbeam

The Shizuoka Shimbun and Shizuoka Broadcasting Cultural Welfare Foundation, and Shizuoka Shimbun and Shizuoka Broadcasting will hold a special exhibition of Kenta Nakajima, a leading contemporary realist painter, titled "Kenta Nakajima Exhibition - Gaze and Time -" for the first time in Shizuoka Prefecture at the Sunpu Museum from July 18 (Sat), 2026, to September 23 (Wed, holiday).

From Sportsman to "Sold-Out Painter": Tracing 21 Years of Artistic Journey

Kenta Nakajima creates "realistic paintings" of women as his subjects. He won the highest award, the Special Selection, at the Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition), Japan's largest public exhibition, in 2009 at the youngest age of 24. He won the same award again in 2014, achieving a historic feat comparable to the Showa era master Ryohei Koiso by winning the Special Selection twice in his twenties. Since his professional debut in his third year of university, all of his over 1,000 created works have been sold out, earning him the moniker "Sold-Out Painter." Furthermore, with the desire to "make art feel accessible," he has authored books, conducted "live paintings" on YouTube, and appeared in numerous media outlets such as "NEWS23" and "Tetsuko's Room."

Kenta Nakajima, photographed on June 17, 2026

Although he made a striking debut as a university student, he was a sportsman in his junior high school years, focusing on basketball, and in high school, on American football. The background to his transition to the art world upon entering university was filled with days of unceasing effort and struggle.

This exhibition looks back on his 21-year artistic career.

Portraits of Celebrities and Latest Works Exhibited Together

This exhibition will showcase portraits of celebrities such as "Nozomi Sasaki," "Jakucho Setouchi," and "Takao Osawa," as well as works from his student days to his latest pieces, all centered around the themes of "people," "sea," and "flowers."

The "irreplaceable beauty" that captures even the inner strength, way of life, and individuality.

From the delicate depiction and warm brushwork, one can feel body temperature and even heartbeats.

In today's era of accelerating digitalization, please experience the traces of handcraftsmanship residing in the brush tips at the venue.

Compassion

Flower of Fate -ver.blue- Fleeting Moment

Artist's Message "On the Exhibition"

It has been 200 years since the statement "Painting is finished" was made with the advent of photography, and now AI generates illustrations. Recently, criticism has emerged that "AI illustrations mean human art is finished." Will people stop painting in 100 years? I believe that as long as humans do not lose their imagination, this will not happen, and I pick up my brush again today.

Related Events & Merchandise Information [Kenta Nakajima Gallery Talk]

・Date & Time: July 18, 2026 (Sat) 14:00~ (approx. 30 minutes)

・Venue: Sunpu Museum Exhibition Room

・Capacity: Approx. 20 people (advance reservation required)

・Participation Fee: Free (*Admission fee required)

・How to Apply: Applications are now being accepted via the dedicated form on the official website below.

https://www.sbs-bunkafukushi.com/event/cfkYCljR

★ Those who purchase books at our museum will receive a signature!

[Book & Merchandise Sales] We will be selling books including the art collection and his book "Sold-Out Painter," as well as original exhibition merchandise (letter sets, stickers, mugs, etc.). Prints are also scheduled to be available.

Exhibition Overview

・Exhibition Title: Special Exhibition "Kenta Nakajima Exhibition - Gaze and Time -"

・Exhibition Period: July 18, 2026 (Sat) - September 23, 2026 (Wed, holiday) *59 days

・Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Last admission 4:00 PM)

・Closed: Mondays (If a holiday falls on a Monday, the museum will be open and closed the following day) *The museum will be open on September 22 (Tue, holiday).

・Venue: Sunpu Museum (2F, Shizuoka Shimbun Kaikan Bekkan, 3-1-1 Tōro, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City)

・Admission Fees: General 800 yen, High School Students 400 yen, Junior High School Students and younger, and those presenting a disability certificate: Free

・Organizers: Sunpu Museum (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Shizuoka Shimbun and Shizuoka Broadcasting Cultural Welfare Foundation), Shizuoka Shimbun and Shizuoka Broadcasting

・Sponsorship: Shizuoka City, Yaizu City, Fujieda City