Press Release
June, 2024

Akihiro Hasegawa Solo Exhibition
Opening June 29 at √K Contemporary

We are pleased to announce the opening of Akihiro Hasegawa’s highly anticipated solo exhibition at √K Contemporary, onview from June 29 (Sat) to July 27 (Sat), 2024.
The exhibition marks the artist’s first exhibition since the completion of his master’s degree in design at the Tokyo Universityof the Arts this past spring. Presenting varying new works ranging from large-scale to small, canvas and acrylic panel pieces,
this exhibition aims to present the up-and-coming Hasegawa’s “now” as he looks towards entering the next stage of his artisticcareer.
Since his debut exhibition, Yomogi & COMP at √K Contemporary in 2022, Akihiro Hasegawa has exhibited his works at avariety of venues and fairs, cementing his status as one of the most sought after rising young artists. Using the properties oflight and peculiarities of sight, Hasegawa's works essentially project the light seen from digital screens onto analog using
acrylic panels and oil paint. Within the surface, Hasegawa’s works convey the glimpse of Buddhist philosophy and view of lifeand death, that make up the core of Hasegawa’s unique perspectives.
Hasegawa’s ethos is influenced by his religious background, which, while reflecting a philosophy that is distinctly Eastern,also contains a certain je ne sais quoi factor that questions the broader nature of humanity at large. His artistic expression ofthese thoughts reveals his compassion for humanity and an effort to extend a hand of guidance and encouragement for thosestruggling with their inner conflicts.

Press Release
June, 2024
In addition to Hasegawa’s signature acrylic panels and other staple series such as Raigō, this exhibition will also feature new
expressions such as charcoal drawings. As an artist and as a human, Hasegawa continues to reflect upon himself by digesting
the past while examining the possibilities that the future holds with an inquisitive spirit. Adopting this perspective, we invite
you to come explore this special world created by Hasegawa.
There will be additional special events to be held during the exhibition period. Further details will be posted on the exhibition
homepage, as well as on all social media platforms.
Exhibition website｜

https://root-k.jp/exhibitions_en/akihirohasegawa_2024/

X: @rk_contemporary | FB: @rootkcontemporary | IG: @rk_contemporary◼

Artist Statement

I often wonder what “life-affirming” means.
We look to the outside world for the answer, assuming that someone else has it, or that the “real thing” is overseas.
I suppose that could be true.
Even if the answer is out there, however, I get the feeling that searching for it will only result in unfulfillment.
For those that are forced to continuously search the beyond for this “correct” answer, how much of it do they need to absorb
to find affirmation?
I don’t think that such affirmation of life can be found in the future.
Nor in the present.
If it is to be found at all, perhaps it is in the past.
Perhaps fulfillment was in the people we left in the past…
Or perhaps it is only in the sentiment, “I was actually already fulfilled”, that we can find this affirmation of life. These are thethings I muse about.
Perhaps “I was already saved by the cat I owned when I was 5 years old”.
I think a “good work of art” is something similar to that - one that gives a feeling of having seen it before, even though it’s
the first time laying eyes on it, or, one that affirms the present by retrogradely reorganizing all the wishes and insecurities
from the past.
We live to encounter our past once again.
This is how I view works of art.
Akihiro Hasegawa

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June, 2024◼

Featured Works

②

①③

⑥

④

⑤①

Nomura III (2024) Charcoal on canvas 100×100 cm②

Floating Boat II（2024） Oil on MDF panel 24×33cm③Still Life I（2024） Oil on MDF panel 24×33cm④Untitled no.12（2024） Resin, oil and acrylic panel 41×32 cm⑤Halo I（2024） Oil on acrylic panel and wooden panel 45×38 cm⑥Untitled no.13（2024） Oil on MDF panel 33×24 cm⑦Raigō VI（2024） Pastel and charcoal on canvas 53×65cm⑦

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June, 2024◼

Artist｜Akihiro Hasegawa
Akihiro Hasegawa (b. 1997, Mie Prefecture, Japan) is a contemporary artist based in Tokyo,
Japan. A successor to a family-run temple of the Buddhist Tendai sect, Hasegawa entered thepriesthood at Saikyo Temple, Mt. Hiei at 10 years old. By 19 years old, he enrolled in theTokyo University of the Arts, the most prestigious art school in Japan, which, considering its
notoriously low acceptance rate, is a rare and striking accomplishment. In 2019, he completed
the Buddhist Shidokegyo (Four Preliminary Practices) and, in the following year, began his
master’s degree at the Tokyo University of the Arts, graduating in 2024. While a graduate
student, Hasegawa was the recipient of the distinguished Kuma Foundation Grant andexhibited at the KUMA EXHIBITION 2022. In 2023, his works were featured in MEETYOUR ART, a television program showcasing contemporary art, and subsequently exhibitedat the Meet Your Art Festival 2023.
IG｜akihiro_hasegawa_jp

X | @Akhr0g[Awards & Grants]
2017

Geidai Art in Marunouchi GAM Award Winner

2021

Kuma Foundation 5th Generation Creators Scholarship Grant[Public Collection]
Ueshima Museum Collection◼

Exhibition Information

Exhibition Title｜ Akihiro Hasegawa Solo Exhibition
Dates｜
Venue｜

June 29 (Saturday) to July 27 (Saturday), 2024
√K Contemporary
6 Minamicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo / Tel: 03-6280-8808/ Email: info@root-k.jp

Exhibition HP｜ https://root-k.jp/exhibitions_en/akihirohasegawa_2024/

For all Press & Media Related Inquiries√K Contemporary (Managed by SEI-RIN Co., Ltd.) Contact: Naoko Watanabe
6 Minamicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0836
Tel: 03-6280-8808 ｜Email: pr@sei-rin.com｜ URL: https://root-k.jp