Polina Berlin Gallery is pleased to present Katsumi Nakai: Works 1965-1997, a collection of works by the late Japanese artist Katsumi Nakai (1927-2013) that span a three-decade period of the artist’s defining years in Milan. This presentation marks the first solo gallery exhibition in the United States for the artist, as well as marking the 70-year anniversary of the artist’s first ever solo exhibition held in Osaka in 1956.

Katsumi Nakai was born in 1927 in Hirakata, Osaka, and in 1953, he entered the Institute of Fine Arts of Osaka to study painting. Nakai belonged to a generation of artists who spent their formative years of working in Japan during the aftermath of the Second World War. His first solo exhibition was held in 1956 at Omote Gallery in Osaka, and in 1958, he was among the seven founding artists of the avant-garde group Tekkei-Kai, whose experimentalism and informalism was active from Kyoto to Osaka until the mid-1960’s. As a direct result of the trauma of the war, Nakai, like many of his generation, had the desire and impulse to explore the commercial and artistic cultures of the West. 

In 1964, the Japanese government first issued visas for independent travel abroad, and at 37 years old, Nakai set out on a trip that would take him to Europe and the United States, “following the sun”. In the late spring, he visited Paris, Athens, Rome, and then Milan, where he found the city “more ancient than Paris yet similar to Osaka.” He decided to stay in Milan, and the years he spent there would become the most significant in his artistic practice. He never made it to the States as he had planned in his lifetime. 

Nakai soon entered the circle of artists that writer and art critic Guido Ballo described as the Nuova Sculoa di Milano (New Milanese School). Lucio Fontana, Tomonori Toyofuku, Enrico Baj, Agostino Bonalumi, Paolo Scheggi, Enrico Castellani and Nanda Vigo were all part of this group. Toyofuku, who provided him with his first studio space, Fontana, whose ideas in Spazialismo (Spatialism) became a foundation, and gallerist Renato Cardazzo, who gave him his first exhibition in Venice, proved to be pivotal in the shaping of Nakai’s career in Italy.

In 1965, departing from the expressive paintings he produced in Japan – influenced by the 1950’s schools of Osaka’s Gutai, Paris’ Tachisme and New York’s Abstract Expressionism – Nakai began to develop a practice experimenting in surface flatness and spatial three-dimensionality, completely void of the gesturalism of his previous work. It was then that Nakai became interested in the ideas of time and space as concepts through which to enter the canvas, totally defiant of the artistic conventions and studies prior. In the early months of 1966, working with wooden board and hinges, Nakai began to form the visual foundation of his subsequent oeuvre, works that probe and breach the pictorial surface.

The collection of works that comprise Katsumi Nakai: Works 1965-1997 encompass his paintings, reliefs and collages spanning the three decades of his life in Milan, with the exception of Untitled (Collage) (1997), which was made during the first year after his return to Japan. The paintings, all produced during the early chapter of his Milanese period, were seminal, knitting together the principles of Western abstraction with Eastern tradition. His multi-colored reliefs test the levels of dimensionality, and as they are delicately folded and unfolded challenge the viewer’s space, staging interplay between projection, form and volume. Devoid of categorization, the works at once contain the conceptual sensibility of Spazialismo and the spiritual, metaphorical interest of the Japanese artistic culture and history. The collage works, made in the later years in Milan and back in Japan, channel the Japanese heritage of art-making, perhaps akin to the craft of origami or paper-cutting. Nakai’s range and breadth of work extended his transnational contemporary output to consider an inventive concept of temporal movement, spatial theory and time.

Nakai returned to live in Japan in 1996 and died in Hirakata in 2013. In 2004, the Italian Kyoto Institute of Culture organized the seminal exhibition Katsumi Nakai – Open in celebration of the artist and his achievements. He has been the recipient of notable awards such as the Prix Piazzetta, the Ambitions Moderate Award, and the Silver Award at the XV Milan Triennale in 1973. Nakai’s work resides in the collections of the Centre Pompidou, Paris; the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka; the Okawa Museum of Art, Kiryu; The Tokushima Modern Art Museum, Tokushima; and The Miyagi Museum of Art, Sendai. The leading galleries supporting his work today are Luxembourg + Co. in New York and London, and Ronchini Gallery in London.

Born

• Hirakata, Osaka, Japan, 1927-2013

Education

• 1953-59 Institute of Fine Arts, Osaka, JP

One-Person Exhibitions

• 2026 Katsumi Nakai: Works 1965-1977, Polina Berlin Gallery, New York, NY (5/11-6/20)

• 2025 Katsumi Nakai: Volare Alto, Studio Gariboldi, Milan, IT (10/16-1/30/2026)

• 2023 Katsumi Nakai: Unfolding, Luxembourg+Co., London, UK (10/10-12/9)

• 2019 Katsumi Nakai, Studio Gariboldi, Milan, IT (11/14-12/20) 

• 2018 Katsumi Nakai, Ronchini Gallery, London, UK (2/1-3/17)

• 2016 Katsumi Nakai: Aperture, Italian Cultural Institute - Osaka/Festival DIM at Kuzuha Art Gallery, Hirakata, JP
  Kuzuha Art Gallery, Hirakata, JP

• 2007 Hakuho Umeda Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 2004 Aperto, Italian Cultural Institute, Kyoto, JP

• 2003 Katsumi Nakai 1967-1999, Hirakata Civic Art Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1992 Katsumi Nakai 1967-1986, Hirakata Civic Art Gallery, Osaka, JP
  Gotenyama Art Center, Osaka, JP
  Gallery Kura, Osaka, JP

• 1990 Galleria del Naviglio, Milan, IT

• 1988 Toa Road Gallery, Kobe, JP

• 1986 Fuji Television Gallery, Tokyo, JP
  Today’s Author Series: Katsumi Nakai 1967-1985, Osaka Prefectural Contemporary Art Center, Osaka, JP
  Hiramatsu Print Gallery, Osaka, JP
  White Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1984 Galleria del Naviglio, Milan, IT

• 1983 Mudo Gallery, Tokyo, JP

• 1981 Kasahara Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1979 Kuro Salon, Osaka, JP
  Bon a Tirer Gallery, Milan, IT

• 1978 Lyda-Levi, Milan, IT
  Arco Gallery, Chieri, IT

• 1977 Giuli Gallery, Lecco, IT

• 1976 Galleria del Naviglio, Milan, IT

• 1975 Santoro Gallery, Rome, IT
  Galleria Traghetto, Venice, IT

• 1973 Galleria D’Arte Il Salotto, Como, IT

• 1972 Christian Stein Gallery, Turin, IT
  Galleria del Naviglio, Milan, IT
  Gi3 Gallery, Seregno, IT
  Il Gelso Gallery, Lodi, IT

• 1970 Galleria L’Argentario, Trento, IT

• 1967 Galleria del Naviglio, Milan, IT

• 1966 Galleria L’Argentario, Trento, IT

• 1965 Galleria del Cavallino, Venice, IT

• 1964 Osaka Forme Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1963 Mudo Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
  Osaka Forme Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1962 Osaka Forme Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1961 Nakanoshima Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1960 Umeda Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1958 Hakuho Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1957 Omote Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1956 Omote Gallery, Osaka, JP

Selected Group Exhibitions

• 2026 ITALY-JAPAN. Japanese artists in Milan since 1960s, Studio Gariboldi, Milan, IT (2/10-4/30)

• 2024 Seen and Unseen: Katsumi Nakai and Isamu Noguchi, Luxembourg+Co., New York, NY 
  (10/28-1/25/2025)

• 2016 Japan, Studio Gariboldi, Milan, IT

• 2014 Your Monumentally: Collective Art in the Seventies, Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Brescia, IT

• 2013 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  Group 85 Ban Gallery, Osaka, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 2012 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  Group 84 Ban Gallery, Osaka, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 2011 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP
  Group 83 Ban Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 2010 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP
  Group 82, Osaka, JP

• 2009 Human Figures, Tokushima Modern Art Museum, Tokushima, JP
  GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP
  Group 81 Ban Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 2008 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 2007 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 2006 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 2005 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 2004 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 2003 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP
  Katsumi Nakai’s Works 1996-1999, Hirakata Civic Art Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 2002 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 2001 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 2000 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP
  GE Exhibition, ABC Gallery, Osaka, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP
  GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP

• 1999 GE Exhibition, ABC Gallery, Osaka, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 1998 GE Exhibition, ABC Gallery, Osaka, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 1997 GE Exhibition, ABC Gallery, Osaka, JP
  GE New Spring Item Exhibition, Blanche Gallery, Ikeda, JP

• 1996 Katsumi Nakai Exhibition – Hana Hiraku Iro Katachi, Gallery 17, Osaka, JP
  GE Exhibition, ABC Gallery and Kintetsu Uehonmachi, Osaka, JP

• 1994 Art of Kansai 1950’s – 1970s, Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Modern Art, Kobe, JP
  Katsumi Nakai and Italian Artists Exhibition–Collage and Printmaking, Alviani, Batch, Capogrossi, Nakai, Selden, Grand Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1988 GE Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP

• 1984 Art Show – Nakai Works and Writers, Globo Tv, Milan, IT

• 1983 Contemporary Japanese Artists: Triennale di Milano, Milan, IT

• 1982 In Disegno: Taormina, Exhibition of Drawings, Taormina, IT

• 1981 1 Artist per Day Exhibition: 365 Works for 1981, Como, IT
  Alviani, Batch, Capogrossi, De Luigi, Nakai: Graphic Works, Grand Gallery, Osaka, JP

• 1980 Today’s Mosaic Exhibition, Milan, IT
  Mostra d’Estate a Cielo Aperto, Galleria Navigliovenezia, Venice, IT
  Carta Colore: Mostra D'arte Contemporanea, Sovico, IT

• 1979 14 Japanese Authors’ Exhibition, Rome, IT
  Italian and Japanese Contemporary Art Exhibition, International Museum of Contemporary Art, Osaka, JP

• 1978 Bologna Art Dealer Exhibition, Arte Fiera, Bologna, IT

• 1977 Quadriennale Nazionale D’Arte, Rome, IT

• 1975 Prospettive, Mostra d’Arte Contemporanea, Bergamo, IT
  L’artista e l’artefice, Milano, IT
  Bologna Art Dealer Exhibition, Arte Fiera, Bologna, IT
  Art Basel, Basel, CH

• 1974 Vetrate Toniutti e Artisti Contemporanei, Mosaic’s Exhibition, Milan, IT
  Art Basel, Basel, CH

• 1973 Dialectic Contrast of Image, Pordenone, IT
  Today’s Portrait, Albisola Mare Vetrata, International Stained Glass and Mosaic Exhibition, Arzago d’Adda, IT
  15th Triennale di Milano Silver Award, Triennale di Milano, Milan, IT

• 1972 Galleria Christian Stein, Turin, IT
  Mostra di Arte Contemporanea Giapponese, Milan, IT
  Vetrate di Artisti Contemporanei, Stained Glass and mosaic, Seregno, IT
  Mostra di Arte Contemporanea 72, Sovico, IT
  Japanese Artists in Europe, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo and Kyoto, JP

• 1971 Bon À Tirer Gallery, Milan, IT

• 1970 3rd Biennale di Menton, Menton, FR
  Italian Art Dealer Exchange, Palazzo della Permanente, Milan, IT
  Galleria l’Argentario, Trento, IT
  3rd Edizione Premio Ambizioni Moderate, Milan, IT

• 1969 Incontro tra Bertone e Lamborghini, Galleria del Naviglio, Milan, IT
  John Cage e gli artisti del Naviglio, Galleria del Naviglio, Milan, IT

• 1968 1st Prize Premio Piazzetta, Milan, IT
  Mostra Omaggio a Carlo Cardazzo, Galleria Il Punto, Turin, IT and Galleria Regis, Finale Ligure, IT
  Galleria Naviglio Venezia, Venice, IT

• 1967 Omaggio allo Spazialismo, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Milan, IT

• 1966 Mostra Gioco Degli Artisti, Galleria del Naviglio, Milan, IT

• 1963 Tekkeikai Group Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Kyoto, JP

• 1962 2nd Maruzen Petroleum Art Prize, Honorable Mention Award, Osaka, JP
  Spring Exhibition of the Tekkeikai Group, Association Fujikawa Gallery, Fujikawa, JP

• 1961 Tekkeikai Group Exhibition, Kyoto, Municipal Museum of Art. Kyoto, JP

• 1960 Young Art Collectors, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX
  Iron and Steamed Chair Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Art Museum, Kyoto, JP

• 1959 Kansai Sogo, Yomiuri Shimbun Award, Osaka, JP
  3rd Shell Art Award, Kamakura, JP

• 1953-59 Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai, Independent Association of Art, JP

Notable Collections

Centre Pompidou, Paris, FR
MAMCO (Musée d’art moderne et contemporain), Geneva, CH
(The) Miyagi Museum of Art, Sendai, JP
Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, JP
Okawa Museum of Art, Kiryu, JP
(The) Tokushima Modern Art Museum, Tokushima, JP

Tussle Magazine | Katsumi Nakai | Katsumi Nakai: Works 1965-1997