Recent Portrait of the Artist

Globally acclaimed contemporary artist Miwa Komatsu will hold a large-scale solo exhibition titled "Sacred Nexus: Resonating with Cosmos" at the Sapporo Art Museum from July 5 to August 31, 2025. This exhibition will be her first in Hokkaido.

A Showcase Centered on Divine Spirits

Miwa Komatsu “On a Snowy Day, the Spirits of the Ezo Wolves Called, and Many Gathered” Acrylic on canvas, Artist's collection

Miwa Komatsu (1984- ) is a contemporary artist who is known for her paintings of divine spirits such as Komainu (guardian lion-dogs) and dragons. Komatsu began her career with etchings that delicately captured her unique perspective on life and death. After experiencing the forefront of contemporary art in New York, she transitioned to creating dynamic paintings. Since then, she has wholly dedicated herself to questioning and exploring the act of prayer and creation. Her works are housed in the British Museum and other museums in Japan and abroad. In recent years, she has expanded her practice to include three-dimensional works and large-scale public art installations.

Miwa Komatsu “Three Guardians Gatekeeping the Heat and Cold” 2021, Acrylic on canvas, Private collection

Miwa Komatsu “White and Red Dragon” Acrylic on canvas, Private collection

“The divine spirits watch over those who pray, are prayed for, and offer prayers. Throughout my travels, and across various countries, I found myself deeply illuminated by this truth: that my spirituality has always, and constantly, been inspired by an act of universal prayer. It exists for us all, regardless of our differences in culture or language. That is what compels me toward creation.”

From this spiritual perspective, Komatsu seeks to manifest and harmonize the forces that dwell within all things, from the cosmos to the metaphysical realm. In an era of ever-shifting values and social fluidity, Komatsu presents a renewed form of prayer that resonates and prompts us to reconsider its urgency.

This exhibition showcases around 70 works, centering on Komatsu’s signature divine spirits, alongside a series of paintings inspired by folklore and legends from various regions, large-scale pieces reflecting her unique cosmic vision, and newly created works inspired by Hokkaido’s natural landscape and local traditions.

Miwa Komatsu “The Glow of a Venetian Street Lamp, a Sea Lion Reflected on the Water's Surface” Mixed media, acrylic on canvas, Private collection

As part of the lead-up to the exhibition, a live painting performance by Miwa Komatsu will be held on June 14th to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Sapporo Art Park. The program will also feature a signing session with the artist and guided tours led by the curatorial team—offering rare opportunities to engage more deeply with the exhibition and its themes.

Miwa Komatsu “Heaven and Earth Komainu” Arita ware, Artist's collection

Exhibition Information

Exhibition Title: Miwa Komatsu | Sacred Nexus: Resonating with Cosmos
Period: July 5th (Sat) - August 31st (Sun), 2025.
Venue: Sapporo Art Museum Geijutsu-no-mori 2-75, Minami-ku, Sapporo
Opening hours: 9:45-17:30 (Last entry is 30 minutes before closing).
View charges: General admission: 1,600 (1,400) yen High school & university students 1,000 (800) yen Elementary & junior high school students 500 (300) yen *Free admission for children 6 or under. Figures in ( ) indicate discount fees for advance ticket purchases or for groups of 20 or more. *Senior visitors (ages 65 and up) can receive a same-day ticket discount of 1,300 yen (1,000 yen for groups) by presenting proof of age. *Admission is free for visitors with a disability certificate and one accompanying person, with proof at the ticket counter.
Open every day during exhibition hours.
Organized by: Sapporo Art Museum (Sapporo Cultural Arts Foundation), The Sapporo Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd., The Hokkaido Shimbun Press
Supported by: City of Sapporo, Sapporo City Board of Education
Cooperation: The STVradio Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
Special Cooperator: Fudo Co., Ltd., Whitestone Gallery

Related Events

●Miwa Komatsu | Live Painting
Date: June 14th (Sat), 2025
Time: 1 pm ~ (approx. 1 hour event)
The event will proceed rain or shine (Note: Will be rescheduled or canceled in the event of severe weather.)
Venue: Sapporo Art Park Outdoor Museum – Tadashi Sato Plaza
Admissions:
800 yen (General) / 400 yen (High school and university students) / 640 yen (Seniors aged 65+) / Free (Junior high school students and under)
Registration: No advance registration required. Please proceed directly to the venue on the day of the event.
Livestream:
Available via STV Sapporo Television Broadcasting's official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@STVhokkaido) and Miwa Komatsu’s official Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/miwakomatsu_official/)
Organized by: Sapporo Art Park (Sapporo Cultural Arts Foundation)
Supported by: Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities
Please note: Photos and video footage will be taken by the organizers during the event. Visitors may appear in the recordings.

●Miwa Komatsu’s autographing session
Date: August 23rd (Sat) and 24th (Sun), 2025
Details will be announced on the official exhibition website.

●Gallery Tour by the museum curator
Dates: August 3rd (Sun) at 2:00 PM, August 11th (Mon, national holiday) at 2:00 PM (tours are approx. 40 minutes long)
Venue: Sapporo Art Museum, Exhibition Room
Admission free (valid same-day ticket required)
*Please note that participation may be limited if there is high demand.

Miwa Komatsu “The Six Realms of Karmic Rebirth” Etching, Artist's collection

For exhibition details and the latest updates, please visit the official website of the museum.

SAPPORO ART PARK