The world of art is a tough field to enter for most up and coming artists, but Seitaro Yamazaki continues to break through. This year Yamazaki’s endeavors take him to YICCA, the International Competition for Contemporary Artists. YICCA showcases the contemporary trends of different generations and their practice of different contemporary artistic creations. Each artist’s work represents the realities of the economic, political, and major contemporary cultural experiences across the globe.

Seitaro’s work deals with the theme of finding “new absolutes within relativity.” One such theme found in his pieces like “UNIT FOR Y-AXIS”, “Sheet Music for Blank Space”, and “In Praise of Shadow” is the depiction of “unused time” buried within relativity.

This theme is what he employed in the piece he’s showcasing in the YICCA exhibition. Yamazaki looked at the idea of consumption in society and played with the idea of time to the answer question “How will our consumption look when seen from the perspective of people in the future with different values?” His nominated piece “Icon Made of Sand # 01 “Nike AIR JORDAN 1”” depicts an iconic piece of pop culture the Air Jordan sneaker constructed out of sand and acrylic. These two elements are clashing materials and convey a different sense of time. Of his nominated piece Seitaro said “We have icon preferences, these icons are a part of our lives, and we consume them. In this sense, the work is like a letter from the future to all of us living in the world right now.”

Seitaro’s use of natural elements and time with his “Icon Made of Sand # 01 “Nike AIR JORDAN 1”” earned him one of the eighteen coveted spots in YICCA’s 2021 international artists nominee list and is the only Asian artist represented in this year’s lineup. His work is set to showcase at the YICCA exhibition in Milano, Italy at the Hernandez Art Gallery starting in June.

Born in Japan, Seitaro Yamazaki is famous for his work in both art and design. His art has brought him to exhibitions like J-COLLABO in New York for his piece “UNIT FOR Y-AXIS”. The 2018 MONO JAPAN event in Amsterdam for “In Praise of Shadows” and many more within Japan and across Asia. In 2020,The winner of 14th Arte Laguna Prize for an artistic residency at BARCELONA, SPAIN.

His latest artistic challenge has found him heading the creative advising team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Paralympic Organization Committee. He lends his artistic vision and creative advice to lead the artistic aspects of the Olympics.

While his career spans across many different countries and many years of success, Seitaro doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. His sights are set on the whole world with plans to open a new base in New York for his studio Seitaro Design, Inc., and future exhibitions across Europe. For now you’ll find Seitaro and his YICCA exhibition piece in Milano, Italy at the Hernandez Art Gallery starting June 17th.



Seitaro yamazaki