Milan is currently hosting a significant retrospective of renowned Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano, showcasing his diverse talents and artistic journey over a span of more than five decades. The exhibition, titled “Amano Corpus Animae,” opened on Wednesday and is the largest display of his work in Western countries.
This exhibition celebrates Amano as a versatile artist, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with a range of Western influences, which span from the Italian Renaissance to elements of Pop Art and Marvel comics. According to curator Fabio Viola, the aim of this impressive showcase is to grant Amano the artistic recognition he deserves, marking his first substantial European exhibition at the age of 72.
Amano’s extensive and varied career reflects his belief that an artist embodies multiple skills. Starting as an animator at Tatsunoko studio when he was just 15, Amano has created artwork for several popular characters, including Speed Racer, Gatchaman, and Tekkaman. His recent projects also include posters that commemorate the centennial of composer Giacomo Puccini,
During a press preview on Tuesday, Amano expressed admiration for Renaissance artists, indicating that they were not limited to one form of art but engaged in many different styles, such as sculpture, costume design, and painting. As he explored his path in the 1980s, Amano ventured into creating iconic illustrations for science fantasy literature, notably the “Vampire Hunter D” series, and became well-known in the video game industry for his contributions to the Final Fantasy franchise.
Additionally, the exhibition features more contemporary works that may not be as widely recognized, including an illustration for Vogue Italia’s January 2020 cover—remarkably, the only issue that did not feature a live model—an album cover for the legendary David Bowie, and the “Candy Girl” series, which showcases Pop Art and manga-inspired pieces on aluminum.
Amano reflected on his fan base, noting that many individuals who grew up engaging with his work, particularly during the 1970s, would have a nostalgic connection to his animations. He emphasized that his artistry could be appreciated across generations, resonating with both older fans and younger gamers.
Curator Viola selected 137 original pieces showcased in the exhibition from Amano’s extensive collection, which contains over 10,000 works stored across three warehouses in Tokyo. Amano is known for keeping his work reserved for specific commissions, meaning many of the pieces had not been seen for decades. “His unique style is instantly recognizable,” Viola mentioned, further noting the evident artistic influences, including art nouveau and Ukiyo-e techniques, but ultimately reinterpreted into a distinctly identifiable Amano aesthetic.
Distinctive features of Amano’s art, such as lightly rendered eyebrows, splashes of color, and expressive brushwork, have become trademarks of his creative output. The retrospective, organized by Lucca Comics in collaboration with the city of Milan, will be on view until March 1 at the Fabbrica del Vapore.
