Quirky character illustrations and – for the first time – bronze work from Brazilian artist Rafael Lima is in Ginza for just two weeks.
Half Japanese, half Brazilian artist Rafael Lima first moved to Tokyo at the age of eight, and doubled as a model and clothing designer before starting to exhibit his art work publicly in 2008.
His work was featured monthly in the popular Men’s NON-NO magazine, where he had appeared regularly as a model. He also collaborated with local label WEGO to release a line of T-shirts featuring his illustrations.
It is the first time Lima has displayed his bronze work
He was also one of the artists chosen for the JICA (Japan International Coopertion Agency)’s “Modern Yokohama and Sao Paulo TIME Exhibition”, celebrating 100 years of trade between Yokohama and Sao Paulo.
Gallery Kabutoya in Ginza has displayed his work before and also shows the likes of well-known figures in Japan including Kenzo Kitakata and Takeshi Kitano.
He is presently is one of the artists with a two year residency at Hammer Head Studios, located in a 98-year-old hammer-shaped crane that stands between a warehouse and the water in Yokohama Bay.
His latest exhibit, “Moonlight Floating on the Night Sea”, which is his 6th as a solo artist, is especially notable as it’s the first time Lima has worked with bronze.
The exhibition also includes his signature style of character paintings in oil and acrylic.
Moonlight Floating on the Night Sea
by Rafael Lima
When: until Dec. 23
Where: Gallery Kabutoya (see map)
Text by Vivian Morelli
