An exhibition of paintings by Japanese-American artist Makoto Fujimura is now on show at Sen Gallery in Tokyo's Setagawa Ward.

Fujimura, whose works utilize traditional Japanese nihonga techniques without following the visual conventions of the genre, became a Christian while studying nihonga at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. The main theme of his subsequent work has been the celebration of his religious faith.

Sen Gallery, 6-4-2 Fukazawa, Setagaya-ku, (03) 3703-6255, a 15-min. walk from the Park Exit of Komazawa Daigaku Station on the Shin-Tamagawa Line. Open Saturdays and Sundays only until May 27, 1-6 p.m.

Sculpting mind out of matter When Japanese sculptor Naoko Takematsu studied in Britain, she was so intrigued by the shifting sands of life that she visualized her brain "changing clothes." The result was a strangely beautiful series of 22 meticulously sculpted brains.

Untitled by Naoko Takematsu

Although her specialty is metal, she used a variety of materials, such as seashells, maps and seaweed, to quickly record the different impressions she was gathering.

"It's very interesting making friends with seaweed," she says. "Even when it's dry it's still alive."

A small selection of her brain sculptures is now on show at the Omotesando Gallery as part of the British Art Now initiative, currently in its sixth year. BAN, the brainchild of fine-art consultant Kathryn Bell, brings rising British and Japanese artists together in both countries for exhibitions and workshops.

For the "Sightseeing" exhibition, Takematsu has made a matrix of rice papers printed with hazy images of multicultural London, where life is both fixed and afloat.

"Sightseeing," until April 28 at Omotesando Gallery (basement), 4-17-3, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, tel/fax: (03) 5775-2469. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (closed Sundays). For other nearby BAN exhibitions, see the British Council Web site: www.uknow.or.jp or contact Open Studio NOPE at (03) 3457-9874.