DigMeOut

DigMeOut: Osaka's premier art collective returns to Portland

September 4th - September 28th 2008 | Reception: September 4th @ 7:00pm | Curated by Matt Wagner


Quicktime VR	FIRST THURSDAY OPENING PHOTO

digmeout http://www.digmeout.net/

This marks the 5th Dig Me Out show at Compound gallery. We are happy to have them back with a fresh batch of amazing art from Japan. "Digmeout" is an art project organized by Osaka radio station FM802. They dig-out and support talented artists. In 2001 Digmeout published their first "digmeout" art book.
In 2002 they opened a gallery/cafe called "digmeout CAFE". In 2006 the cafe moved into it's new residence in America-mura under the new name "digmeout ART&DINER". "Digmeout ART&DINER" has evoloved as a center of Osaka's exciting art scene. Digmeout has also been active in collaborating with companies in Japan and abroad. "RESONART" is a collaboration project between RESONA Bank and digmeout that started in 2004. Dig Me Out artists design ATM cards for the bandk. They have also had other collaborative projects with companies like Sony and Nissan. Digmeout has also been organizinbg art shows in different countries. They have opened exhibitions in the United States (Portland and Los Angeles) and in Australia. Dig Me Out has become an internationally recognized art movement.

IGU - Born in 1982, lives in Osaka. She has had many solo exhibitions. Her illustration characters are sweet and happy. They remind us of characters from Western picture books. One can touch and feel her handmade books. She works for the theater design at NPO.

Takeyoshi Misono - Born in 1975, lives in Osaka. Started an internet site called ‘an insect net’ with his friend in 2004. The site sales t-shirts, exhibit artworks, and exhibits collaborations with other artists. He had an exhibition at gallery CASO in 2007. He creates artwork on the desktop by building many different icons. His style is cool.
artist website

http://aninsect.net/

Kenji Kitazawa - Born in 1971 in Nagano. Currently living in Kanagawa.
Graduated from Musashino Art University, design course.
He was accepted for ‘The Choice competition’ in 2007 (organized by illustration magazine) and the ‘28th HITOTSUBOSHI show’ for graphics. He won the Takayuki Fukuda prize in the HB GALLERY FILE COMPETITION in 2007 and the Daido Moriyama prize at the UNIQLO Creative awards in 2007. He illustrates book covers and magazines. The colorful ports that he illustrates are fun and relaxing at the same time.
artist website

http://home.catv-yokohama.ne.jp/kk/kitazawa/

Ryuji Ohtani - He creates monochromatic figures that are both heroic and glamorous. He does not only draw figures, he draws machines, decorations and plants. Working in a various fields such as editorial, interior decorations, design and brands collaboration projects. He has worked with Adidas US and Sony/Canvas.
artist website

http://OTANIRYUJI.COM

Ryohei Yamashita - He creates images with the theme of "energy". He used to make street art in Fukuoka. He moved to Yokohama and started working as a freelance illustrator. He illustrates for Tarzan magazine, a baseball page illustration for NIKEiD.jp and Harley Davidson Japan.
He won the digmeout audition in 2008 and will debut as a painter this year. He'll spread energetic work to the world.
artist website

http://www.illustmaster.com/

Marumiyan – He isn22years old and lives in Fukuoka. Studied graphic design at a University and started working as Marumiyan in 2007. He works in a various field such as magazines, CD art, posters, package designs, and the web. He has recently exhibited artworks with international artists. He creates elegant images by composing characters, flowers, animals, and buildings.
artist website

http://marumiyan.com/

Tomo Nakanishi -