MAKOTO OKAWA

Makoto Okawa (1976-2016) was a prolific artist both in his 3D felt productions and his 2D paintings. He was a mischievous artist, who put much of his sense of humour into his artworks. When alive he was an active member of Atelier Corners since 2005, an art studio in Japan supporting self-taught artists with disabilities.

Okawa’s felt dolls are known as ‘Makoots’, which sometimes appear in 2D form in his paintings. No two dolls have the same facial expression and they are born from his imagination. Their forms also vary from the human figure, to worms and octopuses. He selects the colour of his wool and when he works, he moves the needle up and down very quickly, becoming completely absorbed in the work. The soft wool he started with turns into felt. He was taught the technique by Atelier Corner’s support staff, but he took it into his own hands, instinctively working with the materials. The dolls are 3D depictions of happiness, anger, sadness and pleasure; when Okawa is happier, his dolls are softer, with more gentle facial expressions. They may well be his alter egos.

For his paintings he uses pastel crayon paint, marker and coloured pencils, applying it to the paper with a good amount of pressure. His works are inspired by his memories and imagination, and it seems he decides whether to work in 2D or 3D depending on his mood or his health. Okawa’s 2D work is in the abcd collection, Paris, and his ‘Makoots’ have been bought for collections both in Japan and internationally. He has exhibited his work in Japan, Los Angeles, the UK, and Paris.

2023 Why We Linger, Darbyshire, London
2022 Outsider Art Fair, Metropolitan Pavilion in New York, with Jennifer Lauren Gallery
2021 Prismatic Minds, Flowers Gallery, London
2020 Outsider Art Fair (with Jennifer Lauren Gallery), Metropolitan Pavilion, New York
2017, Want to See Something Weird, Forever, Solo Exhibition, Galerie Pensée, Konan University, Japan
2016, Nama Ato: Japanese Outsider Art, Group exhibition that toured as part of Unlimited Festival
2015, Icielle Art Fair frac off, La Mode et Du Design, Paris
2015, Makoot Solo Exhibition, Poster Haris Gallery, Tokyo
2014, abcd collection Art-Brut Exhibition, La Maison Rouge, Paris
2011, 19th LALE International Art Festival, Los Angeles
2009, Returning Puppet Show of Makoto Okawa, Puppet Theater Company La Clarte, Osaka
2006, Rojiura No Sanpomichi Exhibition, H&H Japan Inc., Osaka