The later paintings of Genichiro Inokuma (1902–1993) were a freewheeling mix of forms, from human faces to animals, circles and squares, and nameless abstract shapes, all on a single canvas. This vibrant, carefree style with its exquisite balance of forms was a direct manifestation of Inokuma’s own nature: positive, straightforward, and exhibiting a great love of beauty. However showing one’s entire true self in a work of art is far from easy, and it took many years for Inokuma to reach this point in his expression.
　This exhibition unpacks Inokuma’s creative journey through his twenties and thirties, the formative years of his painting career from entering the Tokyo Fine Arts School, to his Imperial Art Academy Exhibition (Teiten) period, founding of the Shinseisakuha-kyokai (New Creation Society), and relocation to France. Here we trace the explorations and insights of the young painter during the late Taisho and early Showa eras, consistently forward-looking and earnest in his interrogation of the meaning of beauty as he endeavors to reveal his own unknown worlds, even as the threat of war in a troubled outside world grew with each passing year.
　The paintings featured in “Foundations of a life in painting” also complement works in the concurrent Akane Saijo exhibition, which marks the awarding of the first Grand Prize in the new MIMOCA EYE open-call exhibition, fulfilling a cherished wish of Inokuma’s to provide a springboard for young artists, giving wings to their unique talents.