Sato Museum is pleased to present the first major retrospective of painter Ryo Shiotani (born 1975), who is active at the forefront of contemporary realist painting. At age 11, Shiotani was moved by Shunsuke Matsumoto's "Bridge in Y City" and awakened to art. After encountering Western classical painting collections during his middle school years, he gained admission to Musashino Art University's Oil Painting Department. He devoted himself to mastering classical techniques and remained true to his beliefs without being swept away by the trends of contemporary art. Upon graduation, he was selected for his first exhibition at the Niki Association, and in 2002, at age 27, he held his first solo exhibition. His penetrating realist ability quickly gained attention, and with the eventual reevaluation of realist painting, he became a leading figure in the realist art world.

Shiotani's realism is not mere "copying." It is essentially about looking deeply at subjects and, based on classical techniques, painting invisible things such as presence and atmosphere. From figures to landscapes, still lifes, he carefully engages with all motifs, crystallizing the natural philosophy behind them onto canvas—an approach that resonates with the spirit of "animism," where souls dwell in all things.

Through numerous solo exhibitions, Shiotani's realist paintings attracted widespread attention from art critics and collectors. His meticulous technique and profound artistic vision established him as a leading figure in contemporary realist painting. This period marked his emergence as a significant voice in the art world.

Moving to the countryside marked the beginning of creation in an environment surrounded by nature. Through daily life and walks, he was overwhelmed by the vitality of nature and animals, realizing that humans are also part of nature while continuing his artistic practice. This period saw the fusion of his Japanese identity with Western classical techniques, pioneering a unique artistic realm.

In the turbulent modern era of pandemics, wars, and the rapid development of AI technology, Shiotani continues to question the meaning of painting by hand. In an age where digital technology can instantly create images, he explores what can only be achieved through the trained craftsmanship of human hands - the mystery of existence and the breath of life. His recent works reflect deep contemplation on contemporary society while maintaining his commitment to classical techniques, demonstrating that realist painting remains profoundly relevant in our digital age.