Tomoko Inaba Illustrator

Based in Tokyo, Japan. Began career as graphic designer, then web designer and now an illustrator. Previous works include cover art and illustrations for books. Selected for the Illustrators Exhibition at the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2016. tomokoinaba.com

[tomoko-inaba]

I am participating the planed exhibition related to a book.

I am participating the planed exhibition related to books. Artists can choose a each favorite book. So I chose "Night fall" written by Isaac Asimov. It is a classic science fiction. This time I made it with woodcut-printing. 

In the exhibition, visitor can take hand each books. There are 100 books by famous illustrators. Please come to the exhibition.

「わたしの一冊、あなたへの一冊」 Feb. 19 - Mar. 3, 2018 at Pinpoint Gallery (Aoyama Tokyo, Japan) http://www.pinpointgallery.com/cn9/cn181/pg2892.html

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I created printing artwork of the Science Fiction novel. This is a frottage of the woodcut. #展示 #作品 #木版画 #woodcut #art #tw

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木版画、彫りの最中。 I’m carving a wood board for my work now. ・ ・ #woodcut #woodblockprint #art #artwork #木版画 #tw

[tomoko-inaba]

I drew an illustration for "Fukubukuro" of department store.

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I made a new Christmas card. It will be sold the exhibition in Kaohsiung

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It was translated from Portuguese to Chinese.

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I made a new ZINE “TOMOKO INABA CRAFT WORK”

I made a new Zine which edited my paper craft work 2015 - 2016. I am a KRAFTWERK fan. So I took a lot courage to name it "CRAFT WORK".

And I made video for commercial of the Zine. Of course music by Kraftwerk. I arranged it. it is uploaded to Youtube. Please see it! YouTube https://youtu.be/uou00QQBkig

Filming location

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EXHIBITION “ZOO.” at ARTQPIE CAVE in Taichung

I inform that I will hold the exhibition "ZOO." in Taichung.

It is decided it at the space "ARTQPIE CAVE" I visited last month in Taiwan. ARTQPIE CAVE is in west area in Taichung city and near the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art. It has a bakery "bakki hand made" at the 1st floor, book collection "ArtQpie Library" at the 2nd floor, and cafe and original furniture at the 3rd floor.

I can see the first floor and the third floor from the second floor.

There are some organic materials - for example green plants, wood furniture, book of paper - are enclosed by concrete architecture. It is really quiet and comfortable space!

If you will go to Taiwan during summer vacation, please visit there. I will stay from 4th to 6th Aug in Taichung. Let's meet there!

TOMOKO INABA EXHIBITION "ZOO." in ARTQPIE CAVE 3rd - 28th August 2017

本冊穴場 台中市西區五權西六街136巷6-1號 Open : Thu. to Mon.13:00-18:00 Close : Tue. and  Wed.

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I received the sample of children's book from Germany

I received the sample of children's book from Germany few days ago. It is my first work of children's book.

I went to Bologna Children's Book Fair 2016 as a Selected illustrator. But I went to there for the first time 2015. The autumn of the same year, I received contact from a Brazilian editor who lives in Germany. She asked me for the illustration of children's book.

There were a lot of anxiety. Because it is a independent publisher, so publication of the book isn't promised. But I thought that even if it doesn't succeed, I will get a valuable experience. And I undertook it as a illustration's work.

We had meeting at Bologna last year, then I sent files of illustration to a editor last autumn.

I got only Portuguese version of the book this time. The title is "Formigas e homens". International version was named "Of Ants and Men". Main character are ANTS. It conveys a simple message. I think that is world common theme.

If you are interested in the book, please contact us. Tomoko Inaba (illustrator) White Balloon Books (Publisher)

OF ANTS AND MEN Auther: Selma Unglaube Illustrator: Tomoko Inaba Editor: Pétula Lemos 21 x 14 cm / 24p. 

A sheet of flyer brought me amazing mission.

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Taiwan report (Kaohsiung)

I went to Kaohsiung in Taiwan from 2 June to 6 June for my solo exhibition. Unfortunately, airplane arrived late for two hours.

My friend and I arrived in Kaohsiung, we were guided by a kind policeman to hotel. Then we went to gallery past 11pm, but gallery staff Kite welcomed us.

"Experiment at 7th" is non-profit experimental library + art gallery. I sent artworks of big canvases, it's impossible to hang them on the wall, so they were put on book shelves.

Next day, it is very hot and humid! But visitors came constantly. Most of the visitors came over by a motor scooter. Because Kaohsiung people usually have one motor scooter per person. It was fun to be able to talk with them.

▲A girl who had a poster of my exhibition came to the gallery. In the evening, Kite showed me many recommended places in the city on her motor scooter. I'll introduce them below.

「花/卵/星,hanathecosmos.」 Variety store. There are many "Kawaii" goods. Most of the goods were made by Taiwan artist or Japanese artist. First floor is a cafe. http://www.hanathecosmos.com/

「小房子」 Children's book store. At first, we need to take off our shoes. There are table and chairs in the store, so we can read books there. And the store has splendid bookshelf in the upstairs. And there is a gallery in the neighbor for art(or illustration) of children's books. When we visited, it just held the exhibition of two Taiwanese artist. https://www.facebook.com/littlehousebooks/?fref=nf

「三餘書店　TakaoBooks」 Book store. It also has a gallery in a basement. The store has good taste. But I forgot to take a photo. Please check the site. http://www.takaobooks.tw/ TOMOKO INABA EXHIBITION "ZOO." in Taiwan 1 June -31 July 2017 七号閱覽室 Experiment at 7th (Kaohsiung) https://www.facebook.com/experimentat7th/

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TOMOKO INABA EXHIBITION in Taiwan

I will hold my solo exhibition in Kaohsiung, Taiwan from 1st June to 31 July.

One day last year, my friend and I talked about how we wanted to go to Taiwan.At almost the same time, I received an offer to hold this exhibition. So I made a decision.

This non-profit experimental library + art gallery is not large but it is just the space for me.

And the staff is very friendly so I won't be nervous.

I have loved Taiwanese tea for many years, so I wanted to visit to Taiwan.But I haven't had the chance to go there.

In recent years, there are a lot of selected illustrators from Taiwan in the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition.I think that Taiwanese people are interested in illustrations.

At first, I thought the next exhibit will be the same as the last Osaka exhibition, but if possible I'd like to add new works.I look forward to holding the exhibition. Let's meet up in Kaohsiung!

我期待著舉辦展覽。我們在高雄見面！

TOMOKO INABA EXHIBITION "ZOO." in Taiwan

1 June -31 July 2017

七号閱覽室 Experiment at 7th (Kaohsiung)

WEBSITE http://bookstore.khcc.gov.tw/0922018770/

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The books of 2017 new years cards are published and now on sale. I draw 10 designs for them.The twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac of the next year is the birds.I like birds as a motif.Firstly, the book of Japanese style new years cards.I made it like a woodcut. But my works seemed to more fogyish than other works.

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“The Emperor of the Moon” I am exhibiting at gallery in Azabu, Tokyo. My works will be exhibited once a month there.

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My interview appeared in the illustration magazine "ART QUARTER" in Taiwan. Here is an excerpt from the interview. Q: Please introduce your work that was selected for the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition 2016. How do you create the story? What is the most important message of the work? A: I held a solo exhibition last year, and the exhibition included illustrations with added dimension. These works were a part of that exhibit. I enjoyed making this series but it’s not characteristic of children's books, so I didn’t think they would be selected for the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition. Children can cut out, fold, and stand the pieces by hand with only a sheet of paper. It is so simple. I think we can share joy with children in such a simple way. For the purpose of the exhibition, I colored the illustrations. But if I were to make publish it as a children’s book, it may be better to allow the children to color it themselves.

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Planned exhibition "Chojyu-giga by 100 persons" was finished last month.

"Chojyu-jinbutu-giga"is a famous set of four picture scrolls, or emakimono, belonging to Kōzan-ji temple in Kyoto, Japan. The Chōjū-giga scrolls are also referred to as Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans in English. Some think that Toba Sōjō created the scrolls; however, it seems clear from the style that more than one artist is involved. The right-to-left reading direction of Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga is traditional in East Asia, and is still common in Japan. Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga is also credited as the oldest work of manga. (extract from WIKIPEDIA)

This time, I exhibited the work "Chojyu-giga The 5th volume 'the universe'" that is an invented story by me. It is different to the previous four works of "Chojyu-giga", unfolds lengthwise. Because it is drawn the sky.

I drew it with brush on Japanese paper. It's a drawing without draft. Then I cut and put it. This technique is similar to works of the solo exhibition of last year. But it seems that it is different by Japanese paper.

Anyway, if I could express the situation that animals play happily, I am glad.

[tomoko-inaba]

These business cards are possible to cut and fold.

[tomoko-inaba]

I am selected for Bologna Illustrators Exhibition 2016 at Bologna Children's Book Fair.

I will explain simply about the competition. Everybody can enter for it. The applicant usually send a set of 5 illustrations for the book to Bologna around October. And the result is posted on Bologna children's book fair's website around January. Selected illustrations are exhibited during Bologna children's book fair(in April). After that the exhibition will also travel throughout Japan.

Please enjoy the international illustration exhibition.