Inoue's latest hand-drawn collection includes artworks that celebrate the cultural exchange between Indonesia and Japan, featuring themes such as the mythical Garuda Bird, Balinese statues, Rafflesia Flowers, and Luwak Coffee.
"Art has the power to transcend race, national borders, and challenges between countries. We can build bridges of love and world peace through art," Inoue noted in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday.
The artist, who will be handling the art creations of various countries at the World Expo Osaka-Kansai 2025 in Osaka, Japan, expressed hope that President Prabowo would be able to attend the exhibition, where his paintings featuring the cat Bobby will be part of the international cultural celebration.
Inoue revealed that this artwork was inspired by an interview he conducted with Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi and his wife at the end of September last year, which was facilitated by the Sakuranesia Foundation.
He emphasized that this event symbolizes a significant step towards achieving peace by unifying the artistic cultures of both countries.
The painting of Bobby and typical Indonesian ornaments were crafted by Inoue in his studio in Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, through a special live painting performance on Saturday (Jan 25), attended by the Sakuranesia Foundation founders Tovic Rustam and Sakura Ijuin, along with distinguished guests, including Tateyama Mayor Shoichi Mori and Chiba Prefectural Assembly member Satoshi Misawa.
The event also welcomed representatives from Groupe Famille Medical, which originates from Tateyama, including Masaki Sugimoto, Jun Kitazato, and Yuki Taira, who actively promote cultural activities.
The organizers also featured special guests, including Professor Hiroshi Kobayashi, a leading expert in robotics engineering from Tokyo University of Science.
Sakuranesia Foundation founder Tovic Rustam stated that Inoue's work, which merges elements of Indonesian culture with Japanese artistic interpretations, aims to serve as a bridge to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
The artwork will also be featured in the upcoming issue of the monthly magazine Hiragana Times. The magazine has garnered high recognition since its first publication in 1986 as a medium for learning Japanese language and culture, with a unique editorial policy that includes Japanese-English bilingual articles and furigana annotations for kanji characters.
"This project, realized through close cooperation between the Sakuranesia Foundation and the Azalee Group, is a symbolic step in deepening Indonesia-Japan cultural exchange," he remarked.
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Translator: Andi F, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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