Art Incubation Series 20 | Juried Open Call

STEPPING INTO A WORLD VI

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
January 15-20 , 2025, 12-6pm (January 20:12-3pm | Closed on Jan 18,19
Reception and Performance : Friday, January 16, 6-8pm

“Stepping Into A World VI” marks the 20th 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 an open call.

This series showcases 38 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. The series has become increasingly international, and this year, Elee Danny from Korea won the Grand Prize.

In addition, this January will see the opening of Series 21: “The Art of SHO III” (20 artists), a calligraphy-themed exhibition; Series 22, the most casual art-incubation edition (Gallery 60 NYC, 5 group of artists); and Series 23: “100 Artists of the World V,” which will utilize the large digital screens in Times Square (1530 Broadway between 44th–45th Street or 3 Times Square, featuring 6 artists). Together, these exhibitions will once again bring a powerful wave of Japanese art to New York this winter.

Up to the 19 installment in April 2025, the series has already introduced about 250 Japanese artists. Furthermore, more than 25 artists have been taken up by New York galleries after the exhibitions. With this winter 2026 installment, an additional 68 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 VI 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. Bipasha Hayat and Kaiser Kamal (Bangladesh), Javier García Sánchez (Spain), and Xin Song (China) 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] Elee Danny
Elee Danny is a Korean artist active across Korea, Europe, and the United States, he has participated in more than 50 exhibitions since 2024. Notable presentations include the Gustav Klimt Award (Klimt Villa & Gustav Klimt, Austria, 2024); the Asia Contemporary Art Convention (Asia Contemporary Art Association, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 2024); Focus Art Fair London (Saatchi Gallery, London, 2025); and Salon International d’Art Contemporain (Louvre Museum, Paris, 2025). He is also the author of numerous publications on art.

He graduated from the College of Fine Arts at Hongik University, completed the Communication program at Carnegie Mellon University, and later completed studies at Harvard University. His academic career includes serving as an adjunct professor at Hongik University, professor at the College of Fine Arts at Keimyung University, and honorary dean of the Graduate School of Fine Arts at the Korea University of Science and Technology. In 2016, he was awarded the Order of Industrial Service Merit by the Republic of Korea.