International Art Critics Praise Contemporary Western-style Painter Takashi Hanabatake Seeking support through crowdfunding to continue his artistic activities

Tokyo-based contemporary Western-style painter Takashi Hanabata, 45, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on ForGood to continue his artistic activities and solve social issues. Hanabata is a talented painter who was recognized by international art critic Ei Hasegawa (Tokyo University of the Arts, Knight of the Order of France) in 2024 as "one of Japan's leading artists, whose work will last 50 to 100 years.

ForGood project page: https://for-good.net/project/1002259

Takashi Hanabata, contemporary Western-style painter

Project Background and Social Issues

In Japan, there is a lack of support systems for artists to continue creating art, and most of the costs of their activities, such as exhibition fees, art materials, and transportation costs, are borne by the individual. Hanabatake also received support through the first crowdfunding campaign and was able to participate in the Paris exhibition hosted by ARTEC, a long-established French art organization, in 2023 (45 out of 400 artists were selected), but he has had to give up exhibiting in subsequent expensive international exhibitions. It does not mean that there are no opportunities at all, but adoption is also severe.

Takashi Hanabata Profile

Takashi Hanabata (age 45) is a contemporary Western-style painter.

Graduated from Ehime University

<Instagram>

@takashipsw

https://www.instagram.com/takashipsw/?hl=ja

<Achievements and Awards

2015: Grand Prize, Creative Media Publishing Picture Book Competition (out of 1,092 entries)

2018: Gifu Prefecture Governor's Prize, Gifu Art Exhibition (27 out of 132 artists selected)

2022: Selected for the Makino Mitsunori International Art Grand Prize Exhibition

2023: Exhibited in Paris, France* (45 out of 400 artists selected)

　　　　　(*sponsored by ARTEC, a long-established art organization in France)

2024: Highest evaluation by international art critic Sakae Hasegawa* (in art magazine yearbooks, etc.)

　　　　　(*Doctor assessed by an art magazine yearbook, etc. for monetary value)

■Characteristic Activities

Hanabatake not only exhibits at art exhibitions, but also actively engages in social contribution activities.

Lecturer at the "Children's Art Class" held by Saiki City Hall (2022)

Introduced painting therapy for children with developmental disabilities (at welfare facilities for the disabled).

Santa Claus paintings were shown at JR Kyushu Oita Station.

Held solo exhibitions at Oita Prefectural Government, Kyushu Bank for the Deaf, Oita Bank, Saiki Library in Oita Prefecture, Encloth Complex in front of Nobeoka Station, Kagamino-cho Library in Okayama Prefecture, etc.

We did all of this on a volunteer basis, hoping that the children and local residents would enjoy it.

Project Details

Target amount: 300,000 yen

Main use of funds: Exhibition, art materials, publicity, etc.

Returns: Original paintings, Giclee prints, postcards, etc.

Platform: ForGood

　　　　　　　　　 https://for-good.net/project/1002259

Period ： Until September 30, 2025

■Media Spotlight

1. both international recognition and contribution to the local community

　 Exhibiting at an exhibition in Paris and holding children's art classes in the community at the same time

2. new area of art x medical education

　 Utilization of paintings to support children with developmental disabilities

(3) Raising social issues in support of artists

　 A blow to the current state of Japan's arts and culture support system 4.

4. moving background story

　 A painting that became a final present for a mother fighting an illness

Representative works

Hanabata's works are characterized by warm colors under the theme of "energy in the heart," and she has received high acclaim for her landscapes and paintings of beautiful women at the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, and the Tokyo Sky Tree.

■Hanabata comments

I have been painting with the desire to 'paint pictures that brighten people's hearts,' rather than any special talent. This project is a challenge for me alone, but it is also a voice for many other artists facing similar difficulties."

■Future Prospects

After the success of the crowdfunding, we plan to continuously exhibit our works in domestic and international art exhibitions and hold children's art classes in more communities. We plan to expand the scope of our activities as painters who combine art and social contribution.