The Vision of Contemporary Art annual competition, which has run for 20 years, aims to nurture young Japanese artists and help promote their work internationally.
This year's overall winner, Sayaka Suzuki from Tama University of Art, caught the attention of the judges with her painting titled "Ano Hi no Nemuri wa Tashika ni Netsu wo Obiteita" ("That Night's Sleep Most Certainly Felt Hot"). She won because of her mastery of colorful ornateness, which judges felt was reminiscent of the works of the French master Henri Matisse. Other award-winning artists include Mai Shibata, Yuichi Hirano, and Nobuyuki Osaki; March 15-30.
The Ueno Royal Museum; (03) 3833-4191; 1-2, Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo; Ueno Station, JR Yamanote Line. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ¥500. www.ueno-mori.org/voca/2013.
