Born in 1924 in Nara, Japan. Bampo Okahashi painted in the Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) tradition while working for Japanese National Railways, and devoted himself to painting after retiring in 1967. Taking Yamato (ancient Nara) and the poems of the Man'yoshu as his central theme, in his later years he explored the fusion of color and sumi ink, building a world of ink all his own. He died in 2001. At Jogonin, a monumental work of about 36 meters that he left behind is unrolled for display.
Bampo Okahashi
Bampo Okahashi
Japan
⬤ Message
"The world of the Man'yoshu. He takes that entire world into his heart, condenses the feelings it holds to the very limit, and in the end paints it in the most minimal form."
"Inexpressibly layered emotions, in superimposed colors of an almost infinite depth." So the work of Bampo Okahashi has been described.
In his later years he explored the fusion of color and sumi ink and created a world of ink all his own.
⬤ Biography
1924 Born in Masuga Village, Takechi District, Nara (now Kashihara)
1937 Around this time, studied watercolor and oil painting under the Western-style painter Shigeo Yamashita
1945 Studied under the Nihonga painter Kyoson Yano; became a member of Shuchosha
1949 While working for Japanese National Railways (now JR), led the Kitokai group (later renamed Seitokai)
1952 Recommended for membership of Nichigetsusha, alongside Shinsui Ito (member of the Japan Art Academy), Kibo Kodama (member of the Japan Art Academy) and Kyoson Yano (Japan Art Academy Prize); first selected for the 8th Nitten with "Twilight"
1955 Helped found the Osaka Art Association (Daibikai) as a founding member with Tatehiko Suga, Tetsuzan Yano, Daijo Aoki, Shimei Terashima, Kachojo Ikuta and others; ran its secretariat and served as a juror
1957 Suita City Culture Award
1958 Moriguchi City Culture Award
1966 After his teacher's death (1965), studied under Tatsuo Takayama (Order of Culture); thereafter stopped entering open-call exhibitions and kept to classicism
1967 Retired from Japanese National Railways to devote himself to painting; traveled through the Middle East and Europe; thereafter made Yamato and the poems of the Man'yoshu the central theme of his work
1970 Kashihara City Culture Award
1975 Founded the Japan International Art Association with European artists
1993 Solo exhibition at the municipal castle museum of Tourrettes, southern France
1994 Joint exhibition at the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and History, Beijing
2001 Died in December, aged 78