ORANGE GATE×JCAT
Home The place where the heart returns

SHOGEN (Guest Artist) / Fujian / Hiromi Kawano / You. / Takashi Hattori / takehikoc

2025.05.10[Sat]　― 06.30[Mon]

table of contents

Project Concept

Attractions

Comment from the JCAT Director

Artist Profile

ArtWorks

Project Concept

Title

Based in New York, with over 200 artists, JCAT (Japanese Contemporary Artists Team), whose mission is to "restore people and the Earth to their original state by making art a part of everyday life," continues its activities worldwide, collaborating with ORANGE GATE on the exhibition "Home: The Place Where the Heart Returns."

Where are we going back to?

A child crying "I want to go home" is comforted by being held by their parent. An old woman keeps murmuring "I want to go home" even though she is at home. It becomes clear that the physical "home" is not necessarily the place to return to. So, where exactly does one return to?

This project focuses on exploring the inner world through the works of five artists from "JCAT NY" and guest artist SHOGEN, looking beyond the material to where the heart truly resides.

takehikoc　The day of departure

Attractions

Title

First collaboration project, ORANGE GATE×JCAT.
The six artists participating this time are outsider artists who have studied art on their own and explore art that does not conform to conventional forms. Because they have purely, passionately, and desperately sought their own expression, pure and beautiful works have been created.

The ongoing heartfelt dialogue between JCAT's representative Arisa Itami and the artists supports the production of the affiliated artists.

HATTORI Shadows

Hiromi Kawano Fallen leaf crystals

You. cell No.004

Fujian Guide to Love

What is JCAT?

JCAT is an artist team based in New York that connects the world through art.

Under the theme "Art for Everyone," JCAT, an abbreviation for Japanese Contemporary Artists Team, was formed in 2014 with the mission of achieving what a single Japanese artist cannot accomplish alone, together with everyone.

Our existence is similar to the story of "Swimmy" from a picture book. It's a story where small fish come together to transform into a big fish, allowing them to swim freely and smoothly in the sea.

For us, the sea represents a global world. Even if one person's power is small, when everyone comes together as one, that power becomes infinite.

JCAT, with the New York Ouchi Gallery operated by art director ARISA for 10 years since 2008 as its avant-garde, aims to redefine art from the common notion of "art as something special" to "something necessary for everyone," and ultimately aims to change the art scene in Japan.

Currently, more than 200 JCAT artists are taking steps every day to spark a revolution.

Comment from the JCAT Director

Title

Itami Arisa (ARISA)

Living in New York for 27 years, an art producer. When New York became a ghost town after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, I experienced how art revived the city. Since then, I have maintained the mission of "making hearts around the world healthy through art," always focusing on the "state of mind," supporting artists based in New York so that people worldwide can lead rich and healthy lives through art.

Currently, the art agency "JCAT NY" that we operate has more than 200 contemporary artists enrolled.

Her books include "How to Become an Artist They Don't Teach You at School" (Sanctuary Publishing) and "You Will Surprise the World with an Apple" (Asuka Shinsha).

ORANGE GATE×JCAT NY Collaboration Exhibition and About Mr. SHOGEN

I can't help but feel that in the near future, the number of people around the world who respect the "value of invisible things" will rapidly increase. Art is something created by people, and our predecessors have tried to convey invisible emotions and thoughts through that art. For modern people who have been driven by the material wealth measured by someone else's standards, by becoming aware of something they had almost forgotten, they might be able to return to their true selves. I believe that through art, one can find what is truly necessary for oneself.

With that sentiment, we are holding a collaborative exhibition between ORANGE GATE and JCAT titled "A Place Where the Heart Returns." This time, we have invited the special guest, painter SHOGEN, aiming to provide a stepping stone for Japanese contemporary artists to engage in global activities. His works will likely serve as a trigger to remind us of precious memories of the Japanese people that had been forgotten.

4/13/25 at ARISA Dubai　

Guest artist: SHOGEN

Paint artist.
He went alone to Tanzania in Africa and continued painting while living with the villagers.
Continuing to paint both domestically and internationally with the theme of "an awkward yet comfortable world."

Silkscreen Kaji 21

MORE VIEW

Artist Profile

Title

takehikoc

takehikoc was born in the downtown area of Tokyo. When he was a child, he was often praised with "You're good" when he drew pictures, but it wasn't that he liked drawing.

I entered the design department in high school and became a graphic designer after graduation, but it wasn't what I wanted to do. I spent my twenties not knowing what I wanted to do, and in my thirties, I encountered art works and Japanese Buddhism, which influenced me, and I decided to express myself through painting.

The characteristics of the work convey a duality of being colorful, bright, and fun, as well as having a detailed and strange atmosphere. In creation, rather than doing as I please, I struggle and agonize over ideas, concepts, and color usage, drawing while writhing. But I believe that those painful emotions and sensations blend into the work and are conveyed as feelings to those who see it.

Currently, he draws pictures on days off when he has no work, but his goal is to create an environment where he can focus on drawing in the future. He hopes that many people around the world will see his work and feel his world.

MORE VIEW

Hattori Takashi

Born in Tokyo in 1970. Lived in Jerusalem from April 2019 to June 2023. Living in the Marshall Islands since June 2023.

Since 2017, I have been creating works using sand, and especially in Jerusalem, I have been producing works while praying for regional peace and stability. As it is said, "We are born from the earth and return to the earth," the land encompasses life and death. Using sand that carries the memory of the land's history, I aim to breathe life into the works through the inherent power and beauty of the sand.

The "maze" that often appears in these sand-based works suggests civilization. It represents artificial objects like ruins and also implies various problems caused by humans themselves. These problems weather away over time, but new problems arise again. Additionally, the horizontal stripes resemble strata or ancient documents inscribed on clay tablets, hinting at the accumulation of history and the whisper of drums. Through these works, I hope to convey such perspectives to as many people as possible.

MORE VIEW

You.

You. creates works that embody the admiration and comfort deep in the heart, in order to love oneself and others.

The rich natural environment of Nara and a lonely childhood are the origins of her creativity. Saved by a world of imagination, she was drawn to free expression and, after working in apparel, began teaching herself oil painting.

Starting with abstract paintings, gradually pursuing expressions honest to one's own "likes." Influenced by Van Gogh and William Morris, built a world of works that feel warm yet poignant.

Currently, he is developing the "permeate art" series, which fuses two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements, continuing to create works that blend into the space. He has also exhibited at places like Chakyuan and Independent Tokyo, expanding the range of his expression.

MORE VIEW

Hiromi Kawano

Hiromi Kawano has been saved by taking photographs and creating multiple exposure works.

I encountered the expressive technique of multiple exposure in 2015. I became fascinated by the unexpected worlds that appear by overlapping photographs. What started out of curiosity eventually became something that protects and supports my heart from anxiety and sadness. Amid major life changes such as the passing of my parents and my own illness, I believed, "Because I was able to take this photo, because I was able to create this work, tomorrow will be okay."

In January 2023, after watching footage of the Noto Peninsula earthquake, she created a pair of works amid an indescribable anxiety. When she placed a powerful dahlia in the first piece and a white egret in the second, she felt "My family and the world are going to be okay." She later realized that the dahlia she unconsciously chose represented her mother, and the white egret represented her father.

She will continue to take photographs and create works. It is similar to a prayer wishing for daily peace. Major exhibitions include FOCUS Art Fair Paris 2022 and Artexpo New York 2024.

MORE VIEW

Fujian

The feelings embedded in the works created by Fujian stimulate the hearts of the viewers, and through the works, they interact with the audience, aspiring to be art that becomes a vital force for living together.

Behind him is the fact that in his mid-30s, he faced "death" due to a rare autoimmune disease. Miraculously saved, he began creating message works that are not bound by the concept of calligraphy, with the hope of delivering courage to take a step forward and a sense of reassurance that can be a support to the hearts of those who have similar anxieties and sufferings.

His evolution never stops, fueled by encounters with people, collaborations with other genres, and various stimuli.

MORE VIEW