Tomio Koyama Gallery 小山登美夫ギャラリー

I learnt of Makoto Toya and his works through a television program that was broadcast on NHK in 2021. In this series titled “no art, no life,” navigated by singer-songwriter Naotaro Moriyama, Toya was introduced as someone who has continued to channel his efforts into creating never-ending paintings. While I was surprised by the sheer persistence of his pursuit in painting, I was indeed fascinated by the works themselves. Hoping to see his works in person, I contacted him through an acquaintance, and arranged a visit to the old pharmacy which he used as his workspace.

What I encountered there was a cumulation of innumerable paintings. Toya mentioned that at times it would take him many years to complete a single painting. Asides from paintings, the bookshelves in his workspace were filled with various books from all times and places, which he would read over and over again in his spare moments between work. I have no idea how he selects the subjects to paint, determines the composition, starts paintings the lines, and applies the colors. There is no telling whether he simply follows his mind and hand as he pleases, or whether there is some form of concept or theme behind what he depicts. His paintings, which permeate with a peculiar sense of fantasy, are colorful, a little pop, a bit humorous, and are ever so slightly salacious, and while at times introducing religious imagery, are often bright and cheerful. One cannot help but feel that the world seen through his eyes is filled with much happiness.

I believe that Toya’s work truly reflects his remarkableness of constantly pursuing the joys of painting over the past fifty years—being so passionate and absorbed, that his desires continue to develop the more and more he paints. This exhibition has been organized in hopes to present viewers with an opportunity to bear witness to this exceptional endeavor.

Tomio Koyama

【Makoto Toya】
Born in 1944, Makoto Toya is currently living in Tokyo, Japan.
After graduating from the Department of Painting at Tama Art University, he began drawing only for himself at the local pharmacy started by his father.
Since his first solo exhibition at an art gallery in Kyoto in 1970, he has been regularly presenting his works.
At his 50s, he closed the pharmacy, and now he continues to spend his days immersing himself in drawing.

【TV programs and online articles featuring Makoto Toya】
［TV Programs］
NHK “no art, no life ー令和三年 表現者たちの幻想曲”
Broadcast on April 17, 2021
https://www.nhk.jp/p/nanl/ts/N3WLV23WVY/episode/te/P81YZG19Z8/ (*Japanese Only)

NHK “no art, no life”
Broadcast on February 25, 2020
https://www.nhk.jp/p/nanl/ts/N3WLV23WVY/episode/te/MXR81JKXRL/

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/noartnolife/?type=tvEpisode& (NHK WORLD: On Demand)

［YouTube］
“【東京・戸谷誠】絵に捧げた人生”
Interviewed by Nobumasa Kushino (Outsider art curator)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBF9gjIfvGg

［Online Articles］
Bijyutsu Techo “櫛野展正連載 アウトサイドの隣人たち：閉ざされた薬局で絵と対峙する暮らし 第31回”
https://bijutsutecho.com/magazine/series/s6/22498 (*Japanese Only)

ROADSIDERS’ weekly
“Kyoichi Tsuzuki: After Hours” Issued on December 16, 2015 (Vol.192)
https://roadsiders.com/afterhours/detail.php?id=192 (*Japanese Only)

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For press inquiries, please contact: press@tomiokoyamagallery.com (Makiko Okado)
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