munira_illust’s ”Reading” Exhibited at Pentel’s Art Crayon Exhibition
Dec 18, 2025
Pentel “100 Art Crayon Works Exhibition”
Recently, the artwork Reading by munira_illust, artist and curator of MUNI ART GALLERY, was selected and exhibited at the “100 Art Crayon Works Exhibition” organized by Pentel.
▶ Exhibition Official Site : https://awrd.com/award/pentel_artcrayon_2025/tab/exhibition
In this post, I would like to share what I felt during this exhibition, adding a few personal reflections as well.
Encountering Art and People at OKUROJI
The exhibition took place at OKUROJI in Tokyo—an unusual space that feels like it quietly emerges from everyday life. As I walked among the suspended artworks, I repeatedly saw visitors stop, take their time looking closely, and photograph pieces with their smartphones.
Seeing complete strangers pause silently in front of my own work is something that moves me every time. In those moments, I truly felt the instant when an artwork gently enters someone’s heart.
One Hundred Works Chosen from Over 2,300 Entries
This exhibition featured 100 works selected from more than 2,300 submissions. In addition, Mr. Harumichi Shibasaki reviewed all 100 selected works individually in a YouTube livestream.
Being able not only to exhibit my work, but also to hear—directly from a juror—what they felt and perceived from my painting, was an unforgettable experience for me both as an artist and as a curator.
▶ YouTube review by Harumichi Shibasaki : https://www.youtube.com/c/WatercolorbyShibasaki
About the Artwork Reading
Reading was created on A4-size CANSON XL paper (160 g/m²) using Art Crayons, jointly developed by Pentel and Harumichi Shibasaki.
munira_illust’s style ranges widely—from highly detailed digital works and pencil drawings to bold, vividly colored paintings with solid areas of color. For this piece, I deliberately chose to rely as little as possible on references or preliminary sketches, and instead painted entirely by intuition.
Having this work selected felt like more than simply “painting well.” It felt as though my natural sensibility had been acknowledged, which gave me great encouragement.
Connecting with Fellow Artists
At the reception, I had the opportunity to speak with other selected artists. Some even said, “I remember your piece,” which meant a great deal to me. As someone who is rather shy, it took a lot of courage to put myself out there—but experiencing how conversations naturally begin through artwork reminded me of the quiet warmth that art can create between people.
At MUNI ART GALLERY, we hope to continue sharing not only finished artworks, but also the hesitation, nervousness, and courage that exist behind them. This exhibition became a deeply memorable experience that reaffirmed those values for us.
