Heta-uma manga artists from Japan stage first group exhibition in France, not Tokyo
In 2015, France hosted a group exhibition showcasing three generations of artists associated with the 'heta-uma' movement. This term, which translates to 'bad but good,' was introduced by Yumura Teruhiko in the 1970s and focuses on unrefined, handcrafted visuals. Hervé Di Rosa, a French artist influenced by Yumura since 1979, co-curated the event at the Musée International des Arts Modestes (MIAM) in Sète and La Friche Belle de Mai in Marseille. Approximately thirty Japanese artists, aged between twenty-five and sixty, produced new works, including installations and wall paintings. Among the notable contributors were Kago Shintaro and Maruo Suehiro. The exhibition underscored Japan's art scene's tendency to overlook such creations as mere manga, despite France's significant interest in translated manga.
Key facts
- The first group exhibition for 'heta-uma' artists occurred in 2015.
- The exhibition was held at two venues in France: Musée International des Arts Modestes in Sète and La Friche Belle de Mai in Marseille.
- Yumura Teruhiko coined the term 'heta-uma' ('bad but good') in the early 1970s.
- French artist Hervé Di Rosa, inspired by Yumura since 1979, co-curated the exhibition.
- Around thirty Japanese artists aged twenty-five to sixty participated.
- The show included new works like wall paintings and installations by artists such as Kago Shintaro and Tanaami Keiichi.
- Japanese commentator Tsuzuki Kyoichi noted the exhibition couldn't happen in Japan due to art world dismissal of manga as not fine art.
- France is the largest consumer of translated manga outside Asia.
Entities
Artists
- Yumura Teruhiko
- Nemoto Takashi
- Shiriagari Kotobuki
- Hervé Di Rosa
- Richard Di Rosa
- Robert Combas
- Pakito Bolino
- Kago Shintaro
- Tanaami Keiichi
- Maruo Suehiro
- Hanawa Kazuichi
- Arizono Eru
- Arizono Emu
- Imiri Sakabashira
Institutions
- Musée International des Arts Modestes (MIAM)
- La Friche Belle de Mai
- Le Dernier Cri
- Taco Ché
- Garo
- Roadsiders' Weekly
- Mograg
- Erect
- ArtReview Asia
Locations
- Japan
- France
- Sète
- Marseille
- Tokyo
- Mediterranean