Tarō Okamoto

Early Life and Education

• Born: Kawasaki, Japan (1911)
• Died: 1996
• Okamoto Tarō began taking lessons in oil painting from the artist Wada Eisaku in 1927.
• In 1929, he entered the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (later Tokyo University of the Arts) in the oil painting department.
• A family trip to Europe in 1929 led him to spend time in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Paris, where he rented a studio and enrolled at a lycée.

Parisian Influences and Artistic Development

• Studied philosophy and aesthetics at the Sorbonne from 1932.
• Inspired by Pablo Picasso's "Pitcher and Bowl of Fruit" (1931), he began submitting paintings for exhibition at the Salon des Surindépendants.
• Became a member of the group Abstraction-Création in 1933.
• Influenced by Surrealism, participating in the International Surrealist Exhibition in Paris in 1938.
• Studied ethnology under Marcel Mauss at the Musée de l’Homme.

Postwar Career and Artistic Philosophy

• Returned to Japan in 1940 and experienced some artistic success, winning the Nika Prize in 1942.
• Established his own studio in Tokyo after World War II.
• Developed a philosophy called "Polarism" (*taikyoku-shugi*), advocating the synthesis of opposites.
• Founded the Yoru no Kai ("Night Society") to integrate literature and avant-garde art.
• Created mosaic tile murals, including "Mythology of the Sun" (1952).

Major Achievements and Public Works

• Served as Theme Producer for Expo ’70 in Osaka, creating the iconic "Tower of the Sun."
• His works can be found at the Museum of Modern Art. Notable pieces include "Flower and Bird" and "Landscape with Red Figure".
• Became an Honorary Citizen of Kawasaki in 1993.

Legacy and Historical Significance

• Okamoto Tarō is recognized for blending traditional Japanese culture with avant-garde artistic practices.
• His use of bold colors, intricate details, gold, and silver leaf created a unique aesthetic.
• He theorized about art and its connection to primitive cultures, influencing subsequent generations of artists.
• The Tarō Okamoto Memorial Museum in Kawasaki preserves his legacy and showcases his work.