Born in 1980 in Kagawa, Japan, and has been based in Berlin since 2005. Working primarily with colored pencils and charcoal, he creates drawings composed of delicate accumulations of lines. His works—like woven fabrics threaded with subtle gaps or frays—reflect his roots as the grandson and son of avant-garde calligraphers, and are characterized by a quiet, improvisational dialogue with negative space — the Japanese concept of “ma”, a meaningful pause or interval that holds presence within absence. Nakahara’s consistent drawing style often evokes natural phenomena such as flickering light or the formation of clouds, as well as vast landscapes. His work has received growing recognition, including the Christine Perthen Prize from the Berlinische Gallery in 2017 and the Egmont Schaefer Prize for Drawing in 2020. He continues to exhibit at galleries and museums in Germany and beyond. His participation in this art fair marks a rare opportunity to view his work in Japan.
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