Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2012

“Domani,” or the “tomorrow” of Japanese art, makes its presence known today in an exhibition at the National Art Center in Roppongi. For the last several decades, the government has been posting emerging artists overseas to study with respected figures. “Domani” exhibits the results of taxpayers’ expenditures on these individuals. Sixteen artists who went abroad in the ’00s are represented, including painter Ryo Shiotani, creator of the remarkable photorealist portrait Olga.

The National Art Center, Tokyo, until Feb 12 (listing).