Note

A new essay on the work of Hiroshi Soga is now available on the Art San Gallery website. The text explores Hiroshi Soga’s painting through the metaphor of the game of Go, examining how structure, materials, and gesture interact within his artistic practice. The essay reflects on technique, aesthetics, and artistic vision, connecting the construction of the painting surface with the logic of the Go board.

フランス人画家 セバスチャン・クフィック は、日本の伝統的な支持体である色紙に油彩で制作した作品群を発表します。油彩は本来、色紙と結びつけられてきた技法ではありませんが、彼はこの支持体を実験の場として捉え、素材・形式・イメージの関係を探求しています。

Art San Gallery is pleased to present “Oil Paintings on Japanese Shikishi Boards — Sébastien Coueffic Exhibition,” held from February 28 to May 10, 2026, in Gujo Hachiman, Japan. French painter Sébastien Coueffic presents a series of oil paintings created on traditional Japanese shikishi boards, exploring architecture, light, and the quiet presence of inhabited spaces.

Discover the Art San 2025 Catalog, presenting authentic Japanese Shikishi boards and Tatōshi envelopes handcrafted in Mino, Japan — the birthplace of washi paper and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site. Created for professional artists, galleries, and retailers, these materials combine traditional craftsmanship with modern versatility.Explore the two signature papers, Gasen dōsa and Torinoko dōsa, each suited to techniques from sumi-e and watercolor to acrylic and mixe

Nestled in the heart of Gujo Hachiman, Gifu’s Castle Town, the Gujo Hachiman Art Walk 2025 invites visitors on a cultural journey through galleries, streets, and everyday spaces. Known worldwide for the Gujo Odori dance festival and its historic mountaintop castle, Gujo Hachiman is also becoming a vibrant hub for creativity. This summer, four art galleries—together with cultural venues, cafés, restaurants, and shops—transform the town into a living exhibition.

We’re delighted to share that Olivia Lomenech Gill, an artist we admire greatly at Art San Gallery, has been awarded the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Illustration. The announcement was made yesterday at the Cambridge Theatre in London, where Olivia was recognized for her exceptional illustrations in Clever Crow, written by Chris Butterworth and published by Walker Books.

Opening July 11, 2025 – Art San Gallery, Gujo Hachiman, Gifu, Japan Art San Gallery is proud to present the first solo exhibition in Japan of Haruka Miyamoto , an artist whose sculptures bring vanished species vividly back to life. Extinguished Animals  opens on July 11, 2025 , in our Gujo Hachiman gallery space, featuring a collection of intricately crafted creatures shaped by a unique blend of artistry and traditional craftsmanship. Formosan Clouded Leopard by Haruka Miyamo

We are proud to share the exciting news that Olivia Lomenech Gill has been shortlisted for the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Illustration, one of the UK’s most prestigious awards celebrating excellence in children’s book illustration. Winners will be announced on June 19, 2025, at a ceremony at the Cambridge Theatre, London.

We are pleased to announce the opening of Art San Gallery's physical space in the historic town of Gujo Hachiman, nestled in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Gujo Hachiman is often called the “water town” — a place where narrow streets, wooden houses, and murmuring canals come together to form one of Japan’s most picturesque and peaceful environments. Known for its pristine rivers and deep-rooted traditions, the town embodies a rare harmony between nature and culture.

As recounted in the inaugural post of this blog, the launch of an online gallery feels akin to embarking on a digital odyssey—a submarine's plunge into uncharted depths. Since August, we've tuned our sails to the rhythm of this virtual sea. Visitors playfully peer through the portholes, navigating the site with clicks that resonate like Morse code. Statistics sometimes unveil their origins—from the captivating islands of Japan to the emerald landscapes of Ireland and the mist

The launch of an online art gallery evokes the departure of a submarine setting sail into the vastness of the oceans. At least, that's the impression one gets from the development of a website: a lot of technicality and little visibility; a sort of blind navigation, which is paradoxical for a gallery presenting pictorial artworks. Thankfully, we've got Ortaire de Coupigny's sardines peeking through the portholes to keep our spirits high. So, armed with the optimism of intrepi