The Footsteps of Painter and Advertiser Takao Yamazaki, Known for Whiskey Ads and Mount Fuji Paintings, at the Ashiya City Museum of Art & History (Radio Kansai Topics)
The Ashiya City Museum of Art & History is hosting an exhibition commemorating the 120th anniversary of the birth of painter and advertiser Takao Yamazaki.Summary
The Ashiya City Museum of Art & History is holding a special exhibition titled "Takao Yamazaki: His Journey—Monologue of a Painter/Advertiser," showcasing the complete works of Takao Yamazaki (1905–1991), who excelled both as an oil painter and in advertising, notably for Suntory's Torys Whiskey. This is the first exhibition to focus equally on his painting and advertising careers, marking the 120th anniversary of his birth. Yamazaki studied under the Western-style painter Narashige Koide in Kobe, developing a unique artistic style that moved between figuration and abstraction. After graduation, he worked at Sanwa Bank while continuing to paint, often focusing on dramatic contrasts in his still lifes. In the post-war era, he became a key figure in advertising at Kotobukiya (now Suntory Holdings), where he led the team that created the beloved character "Uncle Torys," acting as an art director for talents like Ryohei Yanagihara and Ken Kaiko. In 1974, at age 69, he retired from advertising to focus solely on painting, producing many works featuring Mount Fuji, earning him the moniker "Painter of Fuji." The exhibition traces his journey through both mediums, highlighting his philosophy, such as encouraging colleagues with the phrase, "Work with a cheerful spirit."
(Source：Yahoo!ニュース)