W0nderful M@tchb0x ART

Tender matchsticks in bloom painted by Hana Asami.

Ziggy Stardust gives you a light. By Keiko Naisu.

At first Fujinami thought that people would be interested in an exhibition of this kind of art in a gallery in general, but he found people were curious precisely because the art is so tiny. Many visitors were so young, they had never struck a match, as well as older visitors who felt nostalgic when they purused the matches.

Wonderful, atmospheric matchbox design by Shinpei Yamada.

Matchbox menagerie including animal by Azumimushi.

One of the biggest draws of this exhibition is the micro size of its works - they can fit in one single gallery. In the first year, 50 artists participated. This year the individual styles of 100 artists are on display. Quite a lot!

From artist 9square comes this matchbox with a tiny bottle inside, and inside that bottle is a matchstick. Nice and dry, of course!

And from Takayuki Rachi we have a cute picture book inside, telling the epic story of a mouse and a matchbox in length.

“When you open a matchbox, it turns into a three-dimensional sculpture,” explains Fujinami. “This is probably what makes it so nice to design with matchboxes rather than working on two-dimensional canvasses. Also, there is the joy of striking a match and the distinct odour that comes with it. Something you don’t get with a lighter.”

A sturdy coat for chain smokers by Chikako Abe.

A four-panel comic by Shigeru Nakamoto.

Cutsie little blue elephants by Chu Ando.

Beautifully dried leave decor by Amusium.e.

Incidentally, when PingMag went to visit the exhibition, we happened to run into two of the contributing artists: One was Simal Miura, who designs T-shirts with match motifs.
For us, he explains: “I have made tiny works before, but there was always something missing. I did the T-shirts because I wanted to do something you can actually use by wearing. Also, it was too much of a pain to go on making small things.” (Laughs)

Artist Simal Miura showing the Tees with his matchstick motifs.

When each turn comes, its head bursts into flames. Then it is all over, leaving the match worthless. Poor one! This T-shirt design shows these used matches in despair.

The other artist we met was illustrator and sculptor Makoto Osanai, who created match creatures with matchsticks inside matchsticks.
She says: “I have always worked with sculpture. This time I did something quite simple, which is matches inside a match.” (Laughs) “I also made a match picture book, and figurines of the characters in that store. And in case you were wondering, you can actually use these matches.”

Osanai with his sweet match creatures.

… and more of his match cuties.

We bet the artists had quite some fun with the making! But equally the visitors who are allowed to freely touch, grab and hold the matchstick works of art!

Oh! Apple-shaped keyholder with a matching matchbox design. By Shigeko Ueda.

Made from ceramic, this delicate one by Nozomi Magai has a miniature children’s swing on top. For your letter case!

A funny frog takes centre stage, by Kotobuki Okada.

A portrait of gallery owner Fujinami by Nobuo Yahagi.

Thanks to Nobuo Fujinami and all of the 100 contributing artists for showing us the tiny, wonderful world of matchbox art. Next time you’ll be shopping in Omotesando, drop by the exhibition!