Taro Yakumo

Taro Yakumo was born into a family where art was a constant presence—with an art dealer father and a jewelry-making mother—he was surrounded by paintings from a young age. His father's business meant their home was filled with artwork, and he began taking oil painting classes as a child, creating si...

Taro Yakumo was born into a family where art was a constant presence—with an art dealer father and a jewelry-making mother—he was surrounded by paintings from a young age. His father's business meant their home was filled with artwork, and he began taking oil painting classes as a child, creating simple still-life pieces. Even back then, every wall in their house was covered in his doodles.

As an only child with few neighborhood friends, he spent most of his childhood at home. While his peers were engrossed in popular comics, he was more drawn to art books and railway photography. From a young age, he assisted his father in setting up exhibitions, where he was exposed to traditional Japanese paintings. However, he found these works dull and uninteresting, perhaps influenced by the art books of artists like Taro Okamoto and Picasso that he had been reading. This early experience with art would significantly shape his future.

In elementary school, he discovered the power of music when he borrowed a Beatles album from a neighbor. The music moved him deeply, and he began playing instruments, dreaming of becoming a musician. While his interest in art waned during this period, album covers were the one art form that still resonated with him.

As a teenager, he became deeply immersed in Western music and formed a band. He dreamt of achieving international success and developed a keen interest in foreign cultures and societies. This led him to drop out of high school. For the next two decades, he dedicated himself entirely to music, but despite his efforts, he struggled to gain recognition. As he got older, the music industry changed, and he began to feel disillusioned.

Then, in the early 2000s, his father called to tell him about the record-breaking sale of a Murakami Takashi artwork at Christie's. Although he had heard of Murakami, he didn't fully understand the significance of this event. Soon after, he found himself drawn into the rapidly changing Japanese art scene, which was shifting from traditional Japanese painting to contemporary art. His father, who had been traveling extensively to art fairs and auctions, encouraged him to experience the international art market firsthand.

The art he saw in these overseas auctions was a far cry from the traditional Japanese art he had been exposed to as a child. It was vibrant, large-scale, and clearly catered to a more affluent audience. This completely changed his perception of art, and at a time when he was feeling frustrated with his lack of success as a musician, it resonated deeply with him.

Intrigued by the thriving contemporary art scene in Asia, particularly in South Korea, he decided to study there in 2009. While attending a language school, he spent his time visiting galleries, art fairs, and auctions. When it came time to extend his stay, he found it difficult to enroll in a Korean art school as a foreigner. Instead, he enrolled in a general university to study political science. However, he continued to visit art spaces regularly.

He was impressed by the scale and energy of contemporary Korean art. Through his interactions with art professionals, he gained a deeper understanding of the art market and began to find the business side of art appealing.

After returning to Japan in 2015, he opened a small art space in Tokyo. He organized exhibitions, participated in art fairs, and worked as a curator. However, the contemporary art market in Japan was still relatively stagnant, and he faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and issues with counterfeit artworks. Eventually, he was forced to close the gallery.

Despite considering leaving the art world altogether, he realized that art had been a central part of his life since birth. He decided to embrace his destiny and return to his creative roots. At the age of 40, he began painting seriously.

Just as a musician's style evolves with time, so too does his art. His work is a reflection of his experiences and emotions, and it is constantly changing. Yet, there is a fundamental aspect of his art that remains constant—his own instincts.