Yuan yuan

Introduction to Okubo Naomi

 

Naomi Okubo was born in Tokyo in 1985. She completed her Master’s degree at Musashino Art University Graduate School in 2011.While delicately and vividly depicting themes of relationships with others and the concept of “home,” her work delves into contemporary social issues and questions existing norms. In recent years, she has experimented with new materials, such as sewing and glass, to express the deep-rooted nature and fragility of these issues.  

 

Her major solo exhibitions include GALLERY MoMo (Tokyo, 2008), Hamnmagasinet (Varberg, Sweden, 2014), A.style gallery (Hong Kong, 2014), ELSA ART GALLERY (Taipei, Taiwan, 2018), and FOU GALLERY (New York, 2024). She is also scheduled to hold a solo exhibition at Gallery 1888 (Toronto) in September 2026.In addition, she participated in an artist-in-residence program in Varberg, Sweden, in 2014, and her work was acquired for the permanent collection of the Hallands Konstmuseum in Sweden. Supported by the Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists under the Agency for Cultural Affairs, she stayed in New York from 2017 to 2019. She subsequently extended her stay through the Overseas Study Fellowship of the Yoshino Gypsum Art Foundation before returning to Japan in 2020. 

Naomi Okubo

Biography

1985
Born in Tokyo, Japan

2009
B.F.A., Painting, Musashino Art University

2011
M.F.A., Painting, Musashino Art University

Current
Lives and works in Tokyo, Japan

Solo Exhibitions

2026
Gallery 1888, Toronto, Canada

2025
FOU GALLERY, New York, USA

2024
FOU GALLERY, New York, USA

2023
GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku, Tokyo, Japan

2022
ELSA GALLERY, Taipei, Taiwan

2021
GALLERY MoMo Projects, Tokyo, Japan

2018
ELSA ART GALLERY, Taipei, Taiwan

2016

  • A.style gallery, Hong Kong
  • THE POPSY ROOM, Hong Kong
  • GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku, Tokyo, Japan

2014

  • Hamnmagasinet, Varberg, Sweden
  • A.style gallery, Hong Kong

2013

  • H.P.FRANCE WINDOW GALLERY MARUNOUCHI, Tokyo, Japan
  • GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku, Tokyo, Japan

2011
GALLERY MoMo Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan

2010
GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku, Tokyo, Japan

2008

  • Skywalk Exhibition Space at Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo, Japan
  • GALLERY MoMo, Tokyo, Japan

Group Exhibitions

2026

  • Enlighten Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Flowers, GALLERY MoMo Projects, Tokyo, Japan

2025

  • Threads of Resonance: Women Weaving Stories, GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku, Tokyo, Japan

2024

  • ECHOES: A Future Memory, Gallery 1888, Toronto, Canada
  • MOMOPOLY, Spiral Garden, Tokyo, Japan
  • Yoshino Gypsum Art Foundation Exhibition of the Grant Recipients, YOSHINO ART CONNECT, Spiral Garden, Tokyo, Japan

2020

  • Reflection, GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku, Tokyo, Japan

2019

  • Real Fairy Tale, GALLERY MoMo Projects, Tokyo, Japan
  • Real Fairy Tale, SPRING/BREAK ART SHOW 2019, 866 United Nations Plaza, New York, USA

2017

  • INAUGURAL GROUP SHOW, NEUMANN WOLFSON ART, New York, USA
  • On Illusion, Galleri Cuchifuritos Gallery, New York, USA
  • Emerging Artist Project 2017, Official Japanese Ambassador Residence, New York, USA

2015

  • interaction vol.3, GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku, Tokyo, Japan

2014

  • XMAS’14, Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen, Denmark

2013

  • Painting Exhibition, SEIBU Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

2012

  • Complex, Nihonbashi Takashimaya Art Gallery X, Tokyo, Japan
  • Summer Group Show, GALLERY MoMo Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
  • interaction vol.1, GALLERY MoMo Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan

2011

  • Regenerate, GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku, Tokyo, Japan
  • Turning Point, GALLERY MoMo Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
  • ART AWARD TOKYO MARUNOUCHI 2011, Under Gyoko Ave, Tokyo, Japan

2008

  • Opening Exhibition, GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku, Tokyo, Japan

2007

  • TOKYO WONDER SEEDS 2007, WONDER SITE Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
  • Palpitation ☆ Yarimizu Rendezvous, Yarimizu Youth Museum of Art, Tokyo, Japan
  • Tokyo Wonder Wall 2007, Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, Japan
  • The Habit of Collecting, 3ban Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

2005

  • Shell Art Award, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Kyoto, Japan

Awards & Residencies

2019

  • Yoshino Gypsum Co., Ltd. Overseas Research Program for Artists
  • Anaba Summer Residency, Maryland, USA

2017

  • Residency Unlimited, New York, USA

2016

  • Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists (2017–2019), New York, USA

2014

  • Konst i Halland & Artist Residencies, Varberg, Sweden
  • The 28th HOLBEIN Scholarship

Public Collections

  • Hallands Konstmuseum, Sweden
  • Pigozzi Collection

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