Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2012

Like fellow abstract painter Jackson Pollock, Fumio Nambata (1941-1974) also died young but produced a startling volume of paintings in his short life. He was the son of Tatsuoki Nambata, one of the godfathers of abstract art in Japan, and in little over a decade produced a body of vivid watercolors and drawings that provide evidence of a fertile imagination. Celebrating what would been his 70th birthday, this show exhibits many of his best-known works as well as diaries and photographs.

Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, until Mar 25 (listing).