Nonki Nishimura is an artist who moved from Osaka to Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, and creates works using techniques such as dyeing, while also working both domestically and internationally. She is involved in the planning of international art festivals and artist-in-residence programs, and is working to create spaces for cultural exchange that connect local communities with the world.
Nonki Nishimura
Nonki Nishimura
Japan
⬤ Works in 2026
Three Buddhas Looking Back
Buddha Head I: The Great Shakyamuni (Batik / 350 x 350 cm)
Buddha Head II: The Buddha with a Distorted Face (Batik / 250 x 220 cm)
Buddha Head III: Kannon in the Desert (Batik / 250 x 200 cm)
⬤ Message
This Buddha head was excavated from the desert in Uzbekistan and is now housed in a museum; I sketched it in 2024.
We don't know why only the Buddha head was buried in the desert, but it seems that a part of a Buddhist statue, a symbol of Buddhism, had long been buried after being removed from the object of prayer, and was only recently unearthed. Some parts were warped and damaged in the soil. Yet, they still wore a gentle smile. I couldn't help but wonder why that lump of earth seemed to be smiling. Now, more than ever, with the unfortunate wars continuing in the world, please consider this: Even after overcoming deep suffering, we long for peace and happiness where smiles abound.
After viewing each of the large Buddha heads one by one, proceed to the circle in the back left and turn around to see all three Buddhas at once.
⬤ Biography
Born in Osaka in 1957.
1981 Graduated from Osaka Kyoiku University, Department of Fine Arts (Osaka)
1981 Solo exhibition / Yutsugi Gallery (Osaka). Since then, numerous solo exhibitions in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo.
2008: Solo exhibition at Chang Won Gallery (South Korea). Since then, multiple solo exhibitions in Jeonju and Daejeon.
2009 Tashkent Biennale 2nd Place (Uzbekistan). Also exhibited in 2024.
In 2015, after leaving my job at a special needs school, I participated in a one-year residency at the UAP (University of Fine Arts) in Poznań, Poland.
2016 Gallery U JEZUITOW solo exhibition (Poland). December, AT ARTS launched.
In 2017, we formed a Japanese team and participated in Temps de Flors. We participated three times until 2019.
Organized and held the AT ARTS EXHIBITION (Osaka CASO Gallery). Since then, it has been held annually at different venues.
The Takamiya Artist-in-Residence program was held in 2018. Except for the COVID-19 period in 2020 and 2021, it was held at a different location.
In 2020, the Jogonin Contemporary Art Exhibition was planned and held. It has been held annually since then. From 2025, it will be renamed the Jogonin International Art Festival.
The Jogonin Artist-in-Residence program was held from 2022 onwards, and has been held annually ever since. It has also been held in Nagahama since 2023.
Planning and hosting the Nagahama International Art Festival from 2025 onwards.