GAKU: Life is a Playground

EVENT DESCRIPTION

This summer, Japanese up-and-coming artist GAKU joins hands with ifc mall in the artist’s first creative art installation outside of Japan. From 1 to 28 August 2023, the Oval Atrium of ifc mall will transform into the “Life is a Playground” Creative Art Installation featuring 3 awe-inspiring zones – “The Colourful Carousel” Art Installation, “Create Your Own Playground” Digital Experience and “The Dream World of GAKU” Art Gallery – through which visitors can dive into the artist’s autistic yet vibrant mind through his works in varying mediums, as well as interactive and Instagram-worthy installations!

Dive into the World of a Young Autistic Artist
Relish in His Passion for Every Moment in Life

21-year-old creative maven, GAKU, was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of 3, with only an IQ of 25. His lack of verbal communication skills didn’t obstruct his creativity in expressing and communicating his positive views through his artwork. At 16 years old, GAKU toured the art museum with his teacher and was touched by famous Japanese artist Tarō Okamoto’s works, sparking his fountain of creativity in depicting his passion for life and the endless possibilities it holds often expressed through Impressionist, vibrant geometric shapes.

 The creative GAKU produces more than 200 pieces of work a year and hosted his first solo exhibition in 2019 at Setagaya Art Museum. To date, he has hosted more than 20 exhibitions and sold works topping more than 3 million Yen. Recognised as the rising star of the art realm, GAKU has also joined hands with countless brands.

Done in collaboration with ifc mall and Japanese up-and-coming artist GAKU, “Life is a Playground” Creative Art Installation is themed with the circular motifs in one of his works against bright yellow and blue tones. Within the installation are 3 awe-inspiring zones. Inspired by the playground favourite, merry-go-round, “The Colourful Carousel” Art Installation lets visitors appreciate GAKU’s vivid works in adorable spheres suspended in the air. “Create Your Own Playground” Digital Experience asks visitors to put on their thinking caps so to create their one-of-a-kind wonderland using GAKU’s distinguished motifs. Their creations will then be projected onto the 360° digitally helmed dome so visitors can truly immerse into the GAKU’s world and snap a shot for a day to remember. Finally, “The Dream World of GAKU” Art Gallery reveals 20 of the artist’s works for visitors to get up close and personal to his marvelous creations.

Supporting Local Charities’ Work for Autistic Children
GAKU overcame the shackles of autism to become the talented artist that he is today. Aside from his talent, GAKU also received immense support from his family members and teachers so he could realise his creativity without bounds. Committed to raise awareness for autistic individuals, ifc mall has also collaborated with local charity Autism Partnership Foundation. Donation machine will be available on site at the “Life is a Playground” Creative Art Installation so visitors can do good as they enjoy GAKU’s esteemed works of art.

ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER

An artist of 5 years, this 21-year-old creative maven, GAKU, was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of 3. His lack of communication skills and an IQ of 25 didn’t obstruct his creativity in expressing his positive world views via minimalistic, geometric shapes. His first solo exhibition was hosted in 2019 at Setagaya Art Museum; to date, he has hosted more than 20 shows and sold works topping more than 3 million yen. GAKU has joined hands with countless brands such as skincare The Body Shop x GAKU and Japanese fashion label MAISON SPECIAL x GAKU – to name but a few.