Takeshi Matsugami
Look up, Keep Walking , 上を向いて歩こう

For this exhibition, Takeshi Matsugami turns primarily to landscapes, drawing on images from his personal photo archive. Most of these photographs were taken close to home or during outings with his children and family. As a result, many of the works bear the names of specific places—Ikuta, Fuchu, Odawara, Tachikawa, and Enoshima—anchoring the exhibition in lived, familiar geographies.

The exhibition title, Look Up, Keep Walking, was inspired by Matsugami’s “swallow” painting, which prompted him to develop compositions that gently guide the viewer’s gaze upward. The large-scale works are attuned to the subtle shifts of the seasons, a sensibility that also echoes the lyrical themes of Kyu Sakamoto’s songs, which served as the initial point of departure for the exhibition.

Finally, pine trees hold a special significance for the artist. His surname, “Matsugami” (松上), contains the character for “pine” (松), and this connection has long made the motif a personal favourite. Reflecting this affinity, the exhibition includes two pine paintings from his Bonsai series.