TOKYO .- As the world eagerly awaits the much-anticipated Van Gogh exhibition at Sampo Museum in Tokyo this October and currently visits the ongoing exhibition "Van Gogh in Auvers" at his museum in Amsterdam (scheduled until mid-September), the enigmatic departure of Vincent Van Gogh from Auvers-sur-Oise continues to intrigue, 133 years after his passing. Amidst the historical ambiguity surrounding his untimely demise, art historians and enthusiasts alike grapple with the mystery of whether it was suicide or something darker that led to his fateful departure. Yet, Van Gogh's legacy persists through his mesmerizing artworks, poignant letters, and the captivating stories that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

It is no secret that Van Gogh drew inspiration from several artists of the past, and one of them was the British woman artist Helen Allingham. Her illustrations and watercolors enchanted him, and he held her art in high regard.

Today women artists visit Van Gogh area to be inspired for their upcoming exhibition in Tokyo. Two contemporary artists, Ukrainian Zoia Skoropadenko and Japanese Kina Sato, paid tribute to Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise. They visited the charming and thriving town, starting with the small museum dedicated to the French 19th-century artist Daubigny, who also worked there long before Van Gogh. Later, they had lunch and coffee at an authentic local café, where the atmosphere seemed reminiscent of the people depicted in Van Gogh's famous painting, "The Potato Eaters.”

Skoropadenko is a famous Ukrainian artist who has many ties with Japan, her sculpture The Hope in Fukushima created to support local people was inaugurated by Ukrainian Embassy in Soma city in 2016. Like Van Gogh she was inspired by spring blossoms and for many years she was coming to Japan in time of sakura blossoms to create her worldfamous series “Sakura at night”.

In the late afternoon, Skoropadenko and Sato visited the cemetery of Auvers-sur-Oise to pay their respects by placing field flowers on the graves of numerous artists who have been associated with the village over the centuries. The list of artists who visited or lived in Auvers includes renowned names such as Paul Cézanne, Charles-François Daubigny, Camille Pissarro, and Corot. Even during the 20th century, artists like Henri Rousseau, Otto Freundlich, and Pierre Daboval continued to be drawn to Auvers. The COBRA artist Corneille spent his final years there and was buried near Vincent van Gogh's grave in 2010. Although time has progressed, Auvers has retained its charm, and new businesses, like small restaurants, chocolate shops, and funky antique stores, have thrived thanks to the fame of the Dutch artist, Vincent Van Gogh. The environment remains largely unchanged, with the same fields, woods, and even the preserved roots of trees that Van Gogh once painted.

Skoropadenko and Sato climbed the Auvers hills, sketching and painting the same landscapes that were depicted in Van Gogh's final works, such as "Wheat Field with Crows" and scenes of potato farmers harvesting their crop, the famous church, the manor of Charles-François Daubigny, and the auberge where the Dutch artist passed away.

Kina Sato, inspired by Van Gogh's love for Japanese prints, incorporates wavy lines and bright colors in her art. She takes it a step further by adding contemporary neon reds and iridescent blues, creating artwork that strikingly complements the bold colors of the old master.

On the other hand, Skoropadenko excels in Japanese ink drawings, drawing inspiration from Van Gogh's admiration for the harvest season and expansive landscapes. During her stay in Auvers, she created numerous drawings of fields, woods, and locals, which serve as studies for larger paintings.

For their upcoming exhibition titled "Paris comes to Tokyo," the two women artists are working on paintings of sunflower fields and sunflower still life, drawing inspiration not only from Van Gogh but also from the French artist Adolphe Monticelli, whom Van Gogh greatly admired and frequently wrote about to his brother Theo.

Skoropadenko and Sato are motivated by Van Gogh's words: "It is good to love many things, for therein lies strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done with love is well done."

The exhibition "Paris comes to Tokyo" will take place at Aiiima Gallery in Hirakie, Shibuya, Tokyo, from the 15th to the 20th of November 2023.

Zoia SKOROPADENKO: an illustrious multidisciplinary artist, curator, and esteemed art collector, hails from Ukraine and has graced Monaco's artistic landscape for the past two decades. Her captivating "TORSO" series has garnered international acclaim and captivated art professionals and collectors worldwide. These remarkable creations found their place in prestigious venues like the Council of Europe, London Stock Exchange, Toronto, and Tokyo Art Fair, where she took center stage as a special guest. Additionally, her poignant sculpture, "The Hope," received the highest honor with inaugurations in Fukushima, Japan, and at the revered Chernobyl National Museum in Kiev.

Embracing Monaco's vibrant art scene, Zoia Skoropadenko has cultivated deep connections with prominent figures such as Arman, Ernst Fuchs, Emma de Sigaldi, Jean-Michel Folon, Robert Rauschenberg, Sasha Sosno, and more, enriching her artistic journey. Her artistic prowess reached new heights while training under the esteemed American mosaicist, Nall Hollis.

A pivotal moment in 2009 marked the inception of La Vitrine, a cutting-edge contemporary art micro-gallery founded by Skoropadenko herself in Monaco. Through this visionary platform, she not only showcases her own masterpieces but also champions emerging and established artists, becoming a beacon of artistic exploration in the principality. Today, she proudly holds a distinguished position as a member of the National Arts Committee of the Principality of Monaco, affirming her standing as a consummate professional-painter status granted by the Prince’s Government.

An exciting chapter commenced in 2021 as Zoia Skoropadenko, in collaboration with the esteemed virtual art gallery, The Meloy Art, orchestrated a series of unprecedented exhibitions in Paris, Monaco, Japan and USA. This curated extravaganza brings together luminaries from the global art world alongside private art collectors, presenting cherished artworks by grand masters from the past, sourced from the collectors' cherished vaults.

Among the notable exhibitions curated under the banner of The Circle of Zoia in Paris since 2021 are "Monaco VS Vallauris," "The Best Ukrainian Art" during FIAC, "The Great Shots" during Paris Photo Art Fair, "Oh Ceramics" during Deco OFF 2022, "Extraordinary Drawings" during Salon de dessin, "Zoia’s Ark," Exhibition 99.9, “Sakura” and "With Love to Notre Dame." These phenomenal showcases have seamlessly united exceptional artistic talent, celebrating the pinnacle of artistry in the heart of Paris, Tokyo, Monaco and NY the cites of cultural marvels.

Kina SATO: Transcending Traditions, Embracing Ephemeral Beauty
Step into the captivating realm of Kina Sato, a rising contemporary Japanese artist renowned for her masterful fusion of traditional Japanese art techniques with a contemporary twist. Drawing profound inspiration from the cultural eminence and ethereal allure of flowers, cherished symbols of Japanese heritage, Sato's artistic journey unfolds with mesmerizing allure.

Enrapture yourself in Sato's enthralling abstract series, a symphony of vibrant hues, intricate details, and singular compositions. With a deft mixed media approach, the artist effortlessly blends traditional Japanese painting techniques with natural elements like casein and gold, infusing her creations with organic opulence.

Beyond mere representation, Sato's creative prowess transcends boundaries, giving rise to non-representational and abstract interpretations of her cherished subjects. Through audacious use of bold colors, she effortlessly captures the fleeting and dynamic essence of nature, evoking a sense of motion and vitality akin to the very environment she portrays.

In her oeuvre, Sato pays homage to the spirit of revered Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, celebrated for her captivating "Infinity Nets" series. Following Kusama's artistic path, Sato deftly employs intricate patterns of dots and loops, invoking the very texture and movement of nature. A hypnotic dance of repetitive motifs evokes an enchanting sense of infinity, mirroring the ephemeral beauty of the world around her in abstract form.

Step into the realm of Sato's art, a distinctive and breathtaking manifestation that exalts the splendor of nature. Through her unparalleled talent, she wields the form and hues of these European landscapes to craft non-representational compositions that gracefully embody the essence of transience and beauty.

Sato's unparalleled vision has garnered acclaim both in Japan and Korea, her pieces praised for their remarkable beauty, unbridled originality, and profound ability to evoke the essence of Japanese culture and the natural world. Embark on an enthralling journey through Kina Sato's artistic odyssey, a testament to the timeless allure of nature and the boundless creativity of a visionary artist.