Nobuya Abe

Nobuya Abe was born on February 4, 1913, in Yoshibumi, Niigata, Japan. An autodidact, Abe began painting after completing his secondary education. His early career was marked by participation in various group exhibitions. Between 1936 and 1938, he traveled through Mongolia, Korea, Manchuria, and northern China to study Oriental art.

Abe’s work was significantly influenced by the Bijutsu Bunka Kyokai group, Japan’s first surrealist movement, which he joined from 1939 to 1942 and again from 1947 to 1953. This group, also known as L’Illumination, explored deep layers of human psychology and organic abstraction. In 1949, Abe became a member of the Executive Committee of the Japanese Artists Association and represented Japan at the 2nd International Art Exhibition in New Delhi.

In the 1950s, Abe’s career gained international recognition. He served on juries for prestigious events like the Venice Biennale and the São Paulo Art Biennial. He also participated in the Guggenheim International Award in New York and wrote numerous critical essays. His solo exhibitions included shows at the Yoseido Gallery in Tokyo and the Galleria del Grattacielo in Milan.

In 1959, Abe moved to Rome, where he remained until his death on May 6, 1971. His presence in Italy was pivotal in fostering dialogue between European and Japanese avant-garde movements, such as Spazialismo and the Zero Group. In 1966, he exhibited in “The New Japanese Painting and Sculpture” at the MoMA, a traveling exhibition that showcased 46 Japanese artists across American museums.

Abe’s legacy is marked by his innovative approach to color and light, which he continued to explore until his passing. His work remains influential in both Japanese and international art circles.