Since her debut in 2003, J-pop star Ai Otsuka has enchanted audiences with hit songs like ‘Sakuranbo’ and ‘Planetarium’. Beyond her music career, Otsuka has distinguished herself as a versatile artist, creating picture books, illustrations, and stories.
To mark the 20th anniversary of her debut, she will host her inaugural solo art exhibition at Tokyo’s Spiral Garden venue, titled AI OTSUKA 20th ANNIVERSARY ART EXHIBITION AIO ART, running from July 18 to 29.
The exhibition’s highlight is the ‘AIO ART’ booklet, showcasing Otsuka’s oil paintings inspired by her songs, along with her debut mini-album of piano instrumentals, ‘graine’. This exclusive set will be available for purchase at the exhibition venue and on the mu-mo shop online store as a limited-edition release.
On July 17, the piano melodies from ‘graine’ will also be accessible on streaming services. These compositions, born from Otsuka’s passion for the piano, reflect the unique world she has created through her music.
Ai Otsuka Profile:
Born on September 9, 1982, in Osaka Prefecture; blood type O.
Ai Otsuka began crafting lyrics and music at age 15, launching her major-label career on September 10, 2003, with the single ‘Momo no Hanabira’. This was followed by the December 17 release of ‘Sakuranbo’, a massive hit. In 2020, Otsuka debuted as a writer with ‘Akecha Ikenai Ndayo’, published in the prestigious monthly contemporary literature magazine ‘Shosetsu Gendai’ (Kodansha).
Alongside her success as a singer-songwriter, she has flourished as an illustrator, picture book author, music writer, and most recently, an oil painter. Her upcoming solo art exhibition in July marks a milestone in celebrating two decades since her debut.
