Motonaga is one of the artists Jiro Yoshihara discovered and invited to Gutai. Motonaga’s unique, new ideas and techniques stimulated the other fellow artists and surprised the world. At a glance, you can recognize they are his shape and composition. He was also very popular as a picture book maker – humorous shapes and vivid colours always attract children too.
---------------------Works
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TitleGiza Giza ZaSize182×227cmYear1980Mediumacrylic on canvas -
TitleFrom Two Meshes, Long OvalSize91x72.7cmYear1990Mediumacrylic on canvas -
TitleFine MeshesSize97x130cmYear1987Mediumacrylic on canvas
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TitleGiza Giza ZaSize182×227cmYear1980Mediumacrylic on canvas
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TitleFrom Two Meshes, Long OvalSize91x72.7cmYear1990Mediumacrylic on canvas
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TitleFine MeshesSize97x130cmYear1987Mediumacrylic on canvas
CV
1922
Born in Iga City, Mie, Japan
1938
Graduates Mie Prefecture Ueno Commercial School
1955
Joins Gutai Art Association
1955
Participates in 1st Gutai Art Exhibition, Ohara Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Since then he exhibits in all Gutai Exhibitions.
1960
Appointed as a jury for the 13th Ashiya City Exhibition
1966
Invited to visit the U.S.A from the Japan Society (-1967)
1971
Leaves Gutai Art Association
1980
Appointed as part-time lecturer at Kobe University, Educational department
1982
Appointed as part-time lecturer at Kyoto Municipal Art University, Art department
1996
Appointed as professor at Kyoto Seian University
2009
Appointed as emeritus professor at Seian University
2011
Died on October 3rd.
Awards
1953
Receives Holbein Award at the 6th Ashiya City Exhibition
1964
Receives Prize for Excellence at the 6th Contemporary Art Exhibition of Japan
1966
Receives Prize for Excellence at the 7th Contemporary Art Exhibition of Japan
1971
Receives National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto Prize at the 10th Contemporary Art Exhibition of Japan
1983
Receives 2nd Art and Culture Promotion Association’s Award, 15th Japan Art Grand Prix from the Shincho Foundation
1983
Receives Grand Prix at the 4th International Biennale Exhibition of Prints, Seoul, Korea.
1986
Receives Hyogo Prefectural cultural Award
1988
Awarded Chevalier des Arts et de Lettres by the French government
1991
Receives Medal with Purple Ribbon and Osaka Citizen’s Testimonial
1992
Awarded Osaka Art Prize
1996
Receives Kobe Shimbun Peace Prize
1997
Receives Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
2002
Receives Culture merit Award of Mie Prefecture
2007
Receives Sonpo Japan Seiji Togo Museum Grand Prix
