This year we will be exhibiting the rising artist painting section in conjunction with the rising artist sculpture section, which is held every other year. In the painting section we will be exhibiting the works of winners of the Sompo Japan Fine Art Foundation Prize that have been submitted to the foundation over the past one year up to August 2009 (or the winners’ newest works), as well as works nominated by committee members residing throughout Japan (or the nominees recent works). In the sculpture section we will be exhibiting the works winners of the Sompo Japan Fine Art Foundation Prize that have been submitted over the past two years up to August 2009 (or the winners’ recent works).

The exhibition will be held as a contest among the 62 works in the painting section and 17 works in the sculpture section, with commendation prizes being granted in each section.

This exhibition is intended as a showcase of the works of aspiring artists and as an opportunity for their further development. We hope that you will enjoy the exhibition and contest among the new artists who will take the art world forward to tomorrow.