Whitestone Gallery H Queen's is honoured to present a solo exhibition of Japanese artist Kazuyuki Futagawa in Whitestone's gallery space in Hong Kong. Futagawa was born in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture in Japan. When he was in high school, he was determined to become a painter. After he graduated, he studied traditional Japanese painting at Kanazawa College of Art. He then went to Tokyo University of the Arts to do further research on Nihonga (Japanese painting) where he learned the essentials of painting natural landscapes, animals, and plants during which he encountered the art of various famous Japanese painting masters such as Kawai Gyokudō (1873–1957) and was inspired to explore the relationship between human beings and nature through his works.

Iwa-enogu (Mineral Pigment) is the key material Futagawa used in his work. Such paint has been employed in historical Japanese painting which is made from minerals that have been ground into powder form and are to be used with glue to adhere the pigment onto the painting surface. The paint becomes more vivid and dense as the layers build up, creating a sense of depth in the picture. The chroma of Futagawa's painting seems to be between realistic and dreamlike, like a piece of memory that has coalesced with the artist's inner being. Futagawa has spent years of practice acquiring the technique of using such material which requires high proficiency especially in delineating the details of a painting. Despite ​​the efforts, mineral pigment presents a unique colouration and glows like a diamond which truly embodies the beauty of the scenery and the artist's love for nature.

Opening reception: 4 – 7pm, 14 April Friday

Gallery address: 7-8/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central