“The Art of Matsuri: Capturing the Beauty of Japan’s Festivals” by Goroh Saitoh
We are proud to present the solo exhibition “The Art of Matsuri: Capturing the Beauty of Japan’s Festivals” by Goroh Saitoh. This show celebrates Saitoh’s recognition as the Ossam Gallery Solo Exhibition Prize awardee at the 6th Annual Art Exhibition of J-Collabo in 2024.
For decades, Saitoh has dedicated his artistic practice to the vibrant imagery of Japanese festivals. Through oil painting, silkscreen, and print, he captures not only the spectacle of dance, fire, water, and procession, but also the spiritual pulse that sustains these traditions. Rooted in the culture of Aichi Prefecture and its historic matsuri, his works bridge ritual, festivity, and collective memory.
Presented in Brooklyn, the exhibition places the spirit of Japan’s festivals in dialogue with the cultural multiplicity of New York. More than records of celebration, Saitoh’s works open an exchange between tradition and contemporaneity, locality and universality, intimacy and openness. Visitors are invited to feel the elemental energy at the very heart of matsuri.
Exhibition Details
Dates: September 13 (Sat) – September 28 (Sun), 2025
Opening Reception: September 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Venue: J-Collabo Ossam Gallery, 300 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
About the Artists
Goroh Saitoh
I dreamed to become a painter under the influence of my mother who praised me of my graffiti in my childfood and I went on an overseas art study to France in 1973 (Showa 48th).
During the study, I went around countries in Europe while painting, however I was concerning that I did not have a specific style of art. Just before returning to Japan, I desired to copy out Mona Lisa, exhibited at the Louvre Museum for my mother. I visited the museum every day and finally I was officially allowed to copy out Mona Lisa. When I was copying Mona Lisa（※1）, I felt that the woman in the picture must be Da Vinci’s mother and the scenery must be Vinci Village. Through the experience, I realized that I should draw my mother and my country (Japan) rather than Paris. Since then, I have been drawing pictures about my country’s cultures, histories and traditions for more than 40 years, with red-based color which represents the lives in my home country.
The Japanese Kanji Character for “Picture” is composed of two other Kanji Characters, “thread” and “meet”. Through pictures, I have had many opportunities to meet variety of threads and people.
1947年
Born in Nishio city, Aichi Prefecture
1971年
Completed Graduate Program at Tama Art University
1972年
Won an award for the first time at the 40th DOKURITSU Exhibition
1973年
Copied Mona Lisa officially at the Louvre Museum
(first Japanese to copy Mona Lisa officially)
1974年
Won the second highest prize at the 18th Showa-Shell Art Exhibition
1977年
Exhibited his work at the Naïve Art Exhibition (in Yugoslavia) as a representation from Japan
1986年
Personal exhibition at Nippon Club Gallery in New York
Personal exhibition at The Japan Society of Boston
Worked as a special lecturer at the Art Department, Harvard University
1988年
Received the Aichi Art and Culture Award
1990年
Personal exhibition at Jane Gallery in New York
1993年
Personal exhibition at Galerie NOVO in Helsinki
Exhibited at the Art Port International Art Exhibition in Finland at the request of the exhibitor
1995年
Exhibited at Japan Festival Art Exhibition at Jayewardene Culture Center in Sri Lanka
Exhibition of “red-soil, flame, sunset”the world of Goroh Saitoh at Yakimono no Sato, Kawara Museum in Takahama City
1998年
Exhibition of “from Mona Lisa to Aakae-Fudoki” the world of Goroh Saito at Ikeda Museum of 20th Century Art in Ito City
2001年
Became the head of the executive committee of Asian Arts Now2000 at Las Vegas Art Museum
2002年
Became the head of the executive committee of New York Ground Zero Street Exhibition
2005年
Exhibition of Trajectory of Goroh Saitoh at Gallery Garandou
2006年
Exhibition of Trajectory of Goroh Saitoh at Kanda Nissho Memorial Museum of Art in Hokkaido
Personal Exhibition at Da Vinci Museum, Italy Village, Nagoya Port
2009年
Personal Exhibition at Odae no Yakata in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
2011年
Exhibition of Goroh Saitoh’s works and collections – which talks about his whole activitiesAt Yakimono no Sato, Kawara Museum in Takahama City
Exhibition of All works of Goroh Saito at Ise Contemporary Art Museum
2012年
Produced the exhibition of The World of Scenery – Drawing of Tohoku at Odae no Yakata in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
2013年
Donated his work of “Wooden Schoolhouse of Furukawa Daiichi Shogakko (Primary School)” to Furukawa Daiichi Shogakko in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
2015年
His work “Atsuta Jingu Shrine – 1900 years since founded” is on permanent display at Atsuta Jingu Shrine Treasure Hall