The December exhibition at ginza graphic gallery (ggg) will feature the works of Ryoji Arai, a designer who is active in a remarkably broad range of fields. His prime focus is on picture books, but he also delves into illustration art, book cover design, book illustration, advertising, stage design and animation. Mr. Arai's unique works are admired by both children and adults alike for their wealth of colors, the simplicity and subtlety of their pictures, and their words filled with strength, hope and prayer.
For this exhibition, the gallery will be filled with Mr. Arai's wondrously appealing works that stir the imagination. Included will be: “Tabisuru mon: Traveling Door,” that Mr. Arai showed in Shinjuku, Sendai and Yamagata; original drawings created for “Inochi da mon: Living Gate,” his latest picture book; and new works and imaginary book covers created in homage to books he has liked.
In tandem with the exhibition, ggg will host a Gallery Talk featuring Mr. Arai and writer Shinji Ishii, who has written a series of short stories about Mr. Arai and his traveling door. A volume dedicated to “gggBooks-113 Ryoji Arai” will also be published.
Mr. Arai says, “The end of one picture book is the start of something.” We hope this exhibition will inspire visitors to start something of their own.