Yokozuna Harumafuji opens exhibition in Tokyo

Trans. by B.TUNGALAG

The 70th Yokozuna (Grand Champion) of professional sumo Harumafuji D.Byambadorj and artist S.Zayasaikhan jointly launched an exhibition titled “Two World” at Nichido Contemporary Art Gallery in Tokyo on December 23.
Harumafuji D.Byambadorj announced an auction among art lovers. The profit from the auction will be donated for medical assistance for children in Mongolia.
Yokozuna D.Byambadorj has been painting since childhood, but public at large is unaware of his hobby.
Yokozuna Hakuho M.Davaajargal, Yokozuna Kakuryu M.Anand and others attended the opening ceremony.
The exhibition will close on December 27.

Below is a brief interview with Harumafuji D.Byambadorj.

When did you start painting?

I loved painting since I was a child. I also took a painting course at Ireedui Complex School in Mongolia.

Have you ever opened an exhibition in Mongolia?

I opened an exhibition in Mongolia when I was 15. I haven’t exhibited my work since then.

Is there a painter in your family?

I heard that my mother’s relative was a painter.

Why did you choose Nichido Art Gallery?

I met with the director of Nichido Gallery when I was starting my sumo career. He has been supporting me before I became a Yokozuna. He said, “You have to release an exhibition,” when he saw my artworks. That’s why he supported me well. Only professional artists can release an exhibition at Nichido Gallery. I am the first non-professional artist to exhibit my work.

You are the first sumo wrestler to launch an exhibition. How do you feel?

The special thing about this exhibition is that these are works were created by an amateur artist who happens to be a sumo wrestler.

Why did you release a joint exhibition with S.Zayasaikhan?

S.Zayasaikhan is a professional artist. He lives and works in Japan. I wanted to promote Mongolian artists to foreigners. That’s why I chose him.

How many artworks are you showcasing?

I displayed 20 artworks. I depicted the appearance of Mount Fuji in summer, winter, fall and spring in my artworks. Also there is a paining named “Heart”, which illustrates the ocean. The ocean is limitless and deep. But the heart is deeper than the ocean.

Which artist inspires you most?

Vincent Van Gogh. His life is very sad. Some of his paintings look like children’s paintings, but those paintings give me lots of thoughts.

Source: Gogo.mn

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Posted by The UB Post on Dec 25 2015. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.