Art Incubation Series 24 | Juried Open Call

STEPPING INTO A WORLD VII

Curated by Motoichi Adachi and Kyoko Sato
Organized by Art Incubation Association of Japan

Gallery Max New York
552 Broadway, New York、NY 10012 |(212) 925-7017
July 23-29, 2026, 12-6pm (July 29:12-3pm | Closed on July 26,27)
Reception and Performance : Friday, July 24, 6-8pm

“Stepping Into A World VII” marks the 24th installment of an exhibition series launched in 2023 by Emmy Award–winning TV writer Motoichi Adachi and New York–based curator Kyoko Sato, known for her work promoting Japanese culture. The exhibition presents works by artists selected through a juried open call.

This series showcases 19 artists—primarily active in Japan—who create compelling works unconstrained by genre or background, bringing them into the forefront of the global art scene. It also features guest exhibitions by leading artists who are based in New York and active internationally, fostering meaningful exchanges and mutual inspiration. 

In addition, this July will see the opening of Series 25: “The Art of SHO IV” (20 artists), a calligraphy-themed exhibition; Series 26, the most casual art-incubation edition (Gallery 60NYC, 5 artists); and Series 27: “100 Artists of the World VI,” which will utilize the digital screens in Times Square ( 2 Times Square, featuring 7 groups of artists). Together, these exhibitions will once again bring a powerful wave of Japanese art to New York this summer.

Up to the 23 installment in January 2026, the series has already introduced about 320 Japanese artists. Furthermore, more than 32 artists have been taken up by New York commercial galleries after the exhibitions. With this summer 2026 installment, an additional 47 artists are scheduled to be introduced, sending many artists into the New York art scene.

The judges for the open call are Dr. Les Joynes (Columbia University Research Scholar, Curator), Taisuke Morishita (Artist, Art critic, Curator), Motoichi Adachi (Emmy Award-winning TV writer), and Kyoko Sato (Curator).

“ I approach the art world with the same mindset that I’ve used for many years in the Japanese TV industry. I want to bring a fresh breeze of free-spirited ideas into a world that values long-standing traditions. Even if someone didn’t graduate from a famous art school or isn’t backed by a powerful gallery, a beautiful work is beautiful, and an interesting piece is interesting. I want to see captivating artists make a bold impact on the world stage. This time, I’m taking on that unconventional challenge.” — Motoichi Adachi

Japan was defeated in World War II, but afterward, many Japanese artists moved to New York, dreaming of success on the world stage. 80 years have passed since the end of war, and while the art world has changed, this trend remains constant. Many of the artists selected for the Stepping Into A World VII exhibition are experiencing their first time exhibiting in New York, marking a major step forward in their careers.

Through this exhibition, visitors can get a comprehensive view of what contemporary Japanese artists are interested in, how they express themselves, and the techniques they use. Many of these artists will also perform, showcasing their diverse talents.

Historically renowned masters, such as Yasuo Kuniyoshi (who moved to New York in 1910), Yoko Ono (1951), Yayoi Kusama (1957), On Kawara (1965), Ushio Shinohara (1969), Hiroshi Senju (1993), Takashi Murakami (2001), and, more recently, Tomokazu Matsuyama (2002), all had their first exhibitions in New York. It’s hard not to hope that some of the artists in this exhibition will go on to become globally renowned like these figures.

When artists relocate to New York, their modes of expression continually evolve and deepen as they encounter the city’s vibrancy and diversity. International guest artists bring with them the rich cultural backgrounds of their homelands, and these influences are deeply embedded in their creative processes. Chunbum Park (Korea), Mensur Bojda (Republic of Macedonia), TLaloC (AKA Eduardo Corral, Mexico) each skillfully weave their own traditions and philosophies into their work. As their individual histories intersect with New York’s dynamic energy, their art transforms into a unique form of expression in which their cultural roots resonate with the inspirations drawn from their new environment.

— Kyoko Sato

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[Grand Prize] Michiko Hagioka

Born in 1985 in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Michiko Hagioka is a Japanese contemporary painter and illustrator. She graduated in 2008 from the Cartoon Course in the Department of Manga at Kyoto Seika University. Building on a strong foundation in oil painting and drawing, she has developed her artistic practice primarily in the Kansai region and Tokyo. She has held solo exhibitions including rhythm (2016, Sojiro, Hyogo) and a landscapegoat(2017, Sojiro, Hyogo), while actively participating in art fairs such as the Kobe Art Marche and ULTRA in Tokyo.Her work mainly centers on urban and natural landscapes, though in recent years she has also explored experimental approaches, incorporating AR (augmented reality) technology into two-dimensional works. Beyond gallery exhibitions, her creative practice extends across diverse fields, including live painting performances in Dotonbori and Abeno Harukas, illustration for commercial advertisements and product labels, portrait drawing, and teaching drawing courses to mentor emerging artists.