Miu Komatsu (1984-) is a contemporary artist who paints sacred beasts such as lion-dogs and dragons. Starting out with copperplate prints that captured her unique view of life and death with delicate lines, Komatsu moved to large-scale paintings after experiencing New York, the forefront of contemporary art. Since then, Komatsu has continued to sincerely question what it means to pray and create. Her works are held in museums both in Japan and abroad, including the British Museum, and in recent years her activities have expanded to include the production of three-dimensional works and public art.

"The divine beasts watch over us as we pray and are prayed to. What I felt while traveling to many countries is that the form of prayer, which exists in common even if culture and language differ, continues to drive my spirituality and guide me to creation again and again." From the perspective of "spirituality," Komatsu attempts to manifest and harmonize the power that resides in all things, including the universe and the spiritual world. In today's world, where values are diversifying and society is becoming more fluid, the "forms of prayer" that Komatsu weaves can be reinterpreted with even more urgency.

This exhibition will feature approximately 70 pieces, including a series of illustrations based on the divine beasts that are synonymous with Komatsu, folk tales and legends from around the country, large-scale works based on his unique view of the universe, and new works inspired by the climate of Hokkaido.

*Image is for illustrative purposes only.