Perhaps unexpectedly, BI-DAMAS emerged in 2003. That year, its founder saw Parisian printmakers’ work at Kyoto’s Hōnen-in Temple. These artists expressed resistance to discrimination and power imbalances. They used humor and high artistic quality. This encounter sparked the idea for “Printmaking and Popular Art Association”.
For over 20 years, BI-DAMAS has fostered connections with Parisian artists. They collaborated on illustrations and texts. They produced many bilingual picture books. BI-DAMAS focuses on prints, watercolors and drawings now.
Yokoi Kawami, who facilitated these exchanges, displays objects after ten years. Kristin Meller shows wood prints as the gallery representative of Association. Raul Velasco starts the “Printmaking and Popular Art Association”. He runs a printmaking studio in Paris’s 20th arrondissement. He welcomes diverse artists regardless of nationality or age.
Michiko created an introduction to Association. It captures the feeling of walking through Paris’s 20th arrondissement. Yamaguchi Hiromi held a solo exhibition at “Printmaking and Popular Art” gallery in 2007. He has had solo shows in France almost every year since 2015.
Ueyama Eiko held a two-person exhibition with Yokoi Kawami in 2005. She also had a two-person show with Mizutani Kae Ko in 2015. Mizutani Kae Ko’s “2019” expresses her feelings for Paris. Pascale Villey, met in 2015. She participates in “Creating Picture Books”.
Tutumimista has three books with Michel Lasserre. Tutumimista joined “Creating Picture Books” in 2017. Claude-Helene Martin joined in 2019. Her stories were used and three picture books were made. Marionlochou joined “Creating Picture Books” since 2016. She has four picture books.
Sebastien Guerot joined in 2016. He uses thread, cloth, and magazine collages. His unique work has many fans in Osaka. Veronique Murail, a member of Association, first had a two-person show with Mokugyo Kirin at BI-DAMAS. Michel Lasserre had his first solo exhibition at BI-DAMAS in 2006. He has since had three solo exhibitions and visited Osaka four times.
The “Rebellion and Embrace” exhibition ran from June 29 to July 8, 2022 at Gallery BI-DAMAS. Since 2020, BI-DAMAS has faced challenges. It stays true to art. It continues creating. It believes in the future. It embraces freedom of expression. It respects its colleagues.
BI-DAMAS started its bookstore. This bookstore offers a unique experience. Claude from France joined. Many French people living in Kansai visited. Brenda from America displayed two bean books. Her collection was published in March. It was a miracle. BI-DAMAS’s bookstore will continue.
BI-DAMAS hosts various exhibitions. These include the “Creating Picture Books” exhibition in January. It showcased 23 new picture books. It featured presentations and original drawings. The BI-DAMAS Compe Snake and Friends exhibition ran from January 29 to February 7. Sixty-two people participated in the voting. Temple Nishiyoshi won first place.
The New Creating Picture Book Exhibition vol.11 is held in three parts. Twenty-seven artists display paintings, prints, and photographs. Visitors are invited to write stories for the art. Adopted stories may become picture books. The BI-DAMAS Compe The Osaka Exhibition runs from April 16 to April 25. The theme is Osaka. The exhibition features stories and films set in Osaka. It also includes Osaka’s culture.
Gallery BI-DAMAS is located in Osaka. Its hours are 12:00 to 19:00. Weekends close earlier. It is closed on Mondays. Temporary closures may occur. Please check the website before visiting BI-DAMAS. So come and visit BI-DAMAS.