From July 28th to August 13th in midsummer, “MATZU-MTP EXPO” was held at a Gallery SPEAK FOR. MATZU, who was born in Hida-Takayama, grew up in Orange county, and now lives in New York, is a valuable Japanese artist standing at a cross point of street scenes and contemporary arts.

He has his studio in such neighborhood in Bedford where he encounters FUTURA and KAWS within 1km square, and keeps challenging to games unshakably, but relaxed, in the home of the art. Surprisingly, this is his first personal exhibition in Tokyo.

This superb art work, with light colors and a cute motif, amuses old and young and gives you a dynamic impression at the first glance. Yet, when you get closer to and look into it, it weaves a complicated contrast of colors painted wildly and at random and delicate geometric edgings. You can’t tell where the end is, but there are bold buildups and careful honing to get to this. I felt much of MATZU’s ultimate in his expression in there. I tingled and got goose bumps at the same time.

It was a house that I saw as soon as I went through the entrance! Behind the house, there was a mysteriously piled-up 3D collage. Since he made this entire space into one work, the site itself was filled with the sense of fun and made you wonder “what is this?”, looking inside and stepping back. This toy-box-like-house is actually sold and the price is 60,000 dollars! The price is one of the most expensive in the gallery history.

MATZU makes his life by selling his art to someone as well as any other artist. They have kept doing such a die-or-live game. Although it is just normal for them to price own work with a pride in own sensitivity, I wonder, today, how many people honestly express that in Tokyo.

That MATZU finally had his personal exhibition in Tokyo with trusted companies, and each word he told us with his dynamic art works and enfolding handshake will goad us softly. A nice air breezes surrounding the art, it was a very happy exhibition.

MATZU-MTP EXPO
Date: July 28th – August 13th, 2006
Place: Gallery SPEAK FOR
Address: 28-2 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
https://www.abahouse.co.jp