Born 1972, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Masatake Kozaki is a distinguished contemporary artist whose visionary works merge traditional Japanese techniques with Western influences, creating an intricate tapestry of the past, present, and future. Drawing on a diverse range of inspirations—spanning the surreal allegories of Hieronymus Bosch to the Edo-period Rakuchu Rakugai Zu screen paintings—Kozaki constructs an otherworldly utopia he calls Tougen. This series reflects his ongoing exploration of a transcendental world where diverse shapes, values, and beings coexist harmoniously, yet with an underlying caution about humanity’s technological excesses.

Educated at the Tokyo University of the Arts, where he earned his Doctorate in Fine Arts in 2005, Kozaki combines traditional materials such as mineral pigments, gold and silver leaf, and hemp paper with contemporary acrylic techniques. His works evoke the shimmering opulence of medieval religious art while featuring hybridized creatures, futuristic plants, and mechanized elements like satellites, symbolizing humanity’s fraught relationship with progress.

The devastating 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake in Kozaki’s hometown of Tohoku profoundly influenced his practice. He began integrating regional motifs such as Akabeko (red cows), Kokeshi (wooden dolls), and the cultural heritage of Tohoku, embedding these symbols within his utopian landscapes. Works like Hikyo Haguro capture the sacred temples of Mount Haguro, preserving the memory of Tohoku’s lost culture while envisioning its resilience.

Kozaki’s art transcends borders and time, offering a universal message of coexistence while engaging viewers with his meticulously detailed, immersive worlds. His Tougen series has been exhibited globally in cities such as New York, London, Hong Kong, and Mexico City, earning acclaim for its technical mastery and imaginative depth.

Among his accolades, Kozaki has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the UBS Art Award and the Grand Prize at the Aoki Shigeru Memorial Exhibition. His works are housed in prominent public collections, such as the Sato Museum of Art, Rubin Museum of Art, and Tokyo University of the Arts.

Currently an Associate Professor at Tohoku University of Art and Design, Masatake Kozaki continues to inspire through his innovative artistry, blending tradition with modernity to create a singular vision of a utopian world.