Artist Collection #1: Terayama Shuji

Born in 1935 in Aomori,  Shūji Terayama was a poet, playwright, novelist, filmmaker and photographer.  He was among the most broadly influential and innovative figures active in the post-WWII Japanese avant-garde.  In 1969, he formed an experimental theatrical troupe Tenjō Sajiki, which won critical acclaim and toured internationally. On the cinematic front, Terayama was a revolutionary pioneer.  He frequently placed autobiographical influences within his surreal and fragmented films, while his films and dramas were often interconnected, forming an eerie and imaginary world filled with dreams of erotic fantasy and escape. Terayama published almost 200 literary works and over 20 short and full-length films. He passed away in May 1983 at the age of 47.