Located among the green trees of old Karuizawa, where the beautiful seasonal changes can be enjoyed, the Wakita Museum of Art collects and displays Kazu Wakita’ s works from the time when he studied in Germany (1920s) to his final days. He is one of the artists who pioneered Western-style painting in Japan. The museum exhibits his paintings that extend over a span of more than 70 years (display changes every April). It also sponsors many art programs in the modern era.
Invited picture “Midori” (Green)
| Kazu Wakita | |
|---|---|
| 1908 | Born in Aoyama Takagi-cho, Akasaka-ku, Tokyo. After graduating from Aoyama Gakuin Junior High School, he enrolled in the Berlin University of the Arts in 1925, graduating in 1930. |
| 1932 | Wins his first prize at the Taiheiyougakai Exhibition. |
| 1933 | Receives the Koufukai Award and becomes a Koufukai member. |
| 1936 | Receives the Koufukai Special Award and establishes the Shinseisaku School Association. |
| 1955 | Wins the Grand Prix at the Japan International Art Exhibition with “Arasoi” (Strife). |
| 1956 | Receives the Mainichi Art Award. In the same year, he goes on a study tour around the United States after receiving an invitation from the Personnel Interaction Division of the U.S. Department of State. “Arasoi” wins the Japan National Award in the Guggenheim International Award, and it is displayed at the Centre Pompidou. |
| 1959 | Participates in the "Great Works after WWII Exhibition." |
| 1964 | Appointed associate professor of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts ＆ Music. |
| 1968 | Promoted to professor. |
| 1969 | Builds a mountain lodge studio in Karuizawa. |
| 1972 | Participates in the Development of Japanese Art after WWII/Changes in Representational Expression Exhibition and the Modern Japanese Oil Painting Giants Exhibition. |
| 1986 | Holds the Kazu Wakita Exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura ＆ Hayama and the Museum of Modern Art, Gunma. |
| 1991 | Wakita Museum of Art is completed. |
