Contemporary Art Gallery

Katsuhiko Hibino: Alone on the Bridge → Together on a Boat

Katsuhiko Hibino says that when, as a child, he unexpectedly found himself alone on the bridge, “aloneness” hit home for the first time. He states that he creates art out of a desire to meet “someone,” to communicate. This exhibition traces the evolution of Hibino’s activities, from his upbringing to the present day, as he continually seeks connection, moving from a state of “aloneness” to one of “togetherness.”
In the early 1980s, while enrolled in MA in Design, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, Hibino expanded the concept of illustration with his works made from cardboard. He won grand prizes in successive open-call exhibitions, rapidly becoming a celebrated figure of the era. However, when viewing Hibino’s career in a broader perspective, the ‘80s represent just one stage. In the ‘90s, he engaged in introspection, exploring the expression of the intangible. In the 2000s, he made a significant shift toward art projects focused on exploring relationships. Since the 2010s, while taking on roles such as museum director, and from the 2020s, also as a university president, he has vigorously pursued practices that connect art with society by integrating it with fields such as welfare and healthcare, often collaborating with government bodies and corporations. This exhibition considers all these endeavors as the artistic practice of Katsuhiko Hibino, the artist.
This exhibition offers an in-depth look at Hibino, whose dynamic work spans multiple fields. Starting from his formative years as an artist, it explores his journey through the perspectives of those he has engaged with, incorporating anecdotes from picture books and manga produced for this occasion. By focusing on his approach, gestures, behaviors, and attitude, the exhibition seeks to uncover the common thread running through Hibino’s ever-expanding artistic practice, including his post-2000s activities that may not always take tangible, physical form.