Masaki Hirokawa
Artist & Creator
Graphic and contemporary artist with 16 international art awards; exhibited worldwide and featured in art books and scholarly journals; creating works as prayers for love and peace.

Biography
Masaki Hirokawa is a Japanese multidisciplinary artist, UI/UX designer, and app developer. His practice spans visual art, digital media, and interactive technology.
He began self-studying web design and programming in 1997 and joined Kokuwa System Co., Ltd. in 1999 as a DTP operator. In 2002, he worked on core system development at NTT DATA Corporation as a programmer and systems engineer, and in 2005 he became an independent creator. Since then, he has been active across web design, programming, graphics, and interactive movie production.
In 2006, he received the Excellence Prize in the Web Screensaver category at the MTV SO-ZO Competition (supported by AMD) and began exhibiting his work in Japan and abroad. From 2008 onward, he has contributed to and written for numerous graphic design magazines and books.
In 2011, he participated in game development as a technical artist, and in 2013 he launched an independent smartphone application business. To date, his apps have surpassed 50 million cumulative downloads worldwide, with over 3 million monthly active users, and he continues to lead development, global marketing, and operations.
Since 2019, he has resumed full-scale production of graphic art and has actively exhibited in international shows across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. His works depict a symbolic world at the intersection of human consciousness, beauty, and decay, poetically tracing the boundary between dream and reality.
Since 2021, he has received numerous honors from institutions including A’ Design Award, Fondazione Effetto Arte, Contemporary Art Collectors, and ITSLIQUID Group. In recent years, he has further consolidated international recognition with distinctions such as the Award of Achievement (The Consulate of Humanitarian & Culture, Greece) and the Meritorious Service to the Arts Award (Luxembourg Art Prize).
Representative exhibitions include LA Art Show (Los Angeles), Ansan International Photo Festival (Ansan, South Korea), the RenovArt Project (Matera, Italy), and Rome International Art Fair (Rome, Italy). His work has been widely featured in international publications such as 365 Art+ Magazine, Le Musee Plus Magazine, The Best Contemporary Masters, Imago, and Anthology – The Last Decade 2015–2025.
Bridging art and technology, Hirokawa continues to pursue expressions that inhabit the space between the digital and the poetic. His practice evokes a serene yet surreal world in which a subtle synesthetic sensibility and a quietly mystical inspiration coexist.

Work Experience
· Founder & Lead Developer, Independent Smartphone App Business (Self-employed / Global), 2013–Present — 50M+ downloads; 3M+ MAU; lead development, global marketing, operations.
· Independent Creator (Web/UX, Programming, Graphics, Interactive), 2005–Present — End-to-end UX/UI and web builds; publications since 2008.
· Technical Artist (Game Development), 2011 — Tool pipelines, asset integration, real-time optimization.
· Programmer / Systems Engineer, NTT DATA Corporation, 2002–2005 — Core systems design and implementation.
· DTP Operator, Kokuwa System Co., Ltd., 2000 — Prepress, layout, print production.
· Multidisciplinary Visual Artist (International Exhibitions), 2019–Present — Exhibitions across EU/Asia/Americas; recognized by A’ Design Award, etc.

2025 – Award of Achievement (The Consulate of Humanitarian & Culture in Chania, Greece)
2025 – The New Great Masters in New York (Fondazione Effetto Arte)
2025 – W* Recognition (A’Design Award)
2024 – Meritorious Service to the Arts Award (Luxembourg Art Prize)
2024 – Phoenix for the Arts (Fondazione Effetto Arte)
2024 – Global Art Virtuoso Award (Contemporary Art Collectors)
2023 – Harmony for Humanity Art Prize (Contemporary Art Collectors)
2023 – Career Art Award (Fondazione Effetto Arte)
2023 – The Genius of Italy – Michelangelo International Art Prize (Fondazione Effetto Arte)
2023 – A’Design Award Golden Award (Photography & Photo Manipulation)
2022 – ITSLIQUID International Contest - 12th Edition, Honorable Mention
2022 – BEST COVER ARTIST AWARD (365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2022 – A’Design Award Iron Award (Graphic Design)
2021 – ITSLIQUID International Contest - 11th Edition, Honorable Mention
2021 – ARTIST OF THE YEAR (ITSLIQUID Group)
2006 – Excellence Prize, Web Screensaver Category, MTV SO-ZO Competition supported by AMD

2025 – Ansan International Photo Festival (Ansan Culture & Arts Center, Ansan, South Korea)
2025 – KINTSUGI (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy)
2025 – TRACES OF DREAMS (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy)
2024 – LA ART SHOW – Los Angeles Art Market (Fondazione Effetto Arte, Los Angeles, USA)
2023 – International Good Design Exhibition (A’Design Award, Rome, Italy)
2023 – ENIGMI (Arte Borgo Gallery, Rome, Italy)
2023 – RenovArt | Shapes of Nature (ApuliaAste, Matera, Italy)
2023 – CENSORED (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy)
2023 – RenovArt | Panta Rhei (ApuliaAste, Matera, Italy)
2023 – RenovArt | Flowing Identities (Spazio Opera Gallery, ApuliaAste, Matera, Italy)
2023 – FROM THE DISTANCE (VAN GOGH Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain)
2023 – RenovArt | Flowing Identities (ApuliaAste, Matera, Italy)
2023 – artbook Gallery (Toberu Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan)
2023 – Paris 2023 International Contemporary Art Fair (VAN GOGH Art Gallery, Paris, France)
2022 – BRAIN CAKE 2022 (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Casa Milà, Barcelona, Spain)
2022 – ADRENOCROMO FOR DINNER 2022 (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy & Canary Islands, Spain)
2022 – WE CONTEMPORARY CATALOG & ART SHOW (MUSA International, Rome, Italy)
2022 – RenovArt | 100 Artists for the Future (November, ApuliaAste, Matera, Italy)
2022 – GUARDIANS OF DREAMS 2022 (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy)
2022 – LONDON CONTEMPORARY 2022 (ITSLIQUID Group, London, UK)
2022 – PRETTY PERV 2022 (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy & Canary Islands, Spain)
2022 – International Digital Art Exhibition (VAN GOGH Art Gallery, Madrid, Spain)
2022 – ORIZZONTI TRASVERSALI 2022 (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy)
2022 – CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2022 (ITSLIQUID Group, Venice, Italy)
2022 – RenovArt | 100 Artists for the Future (July, ApuliaAste, Matera, Italy)
2022 – International Contemporary Art Fair Monaco 2022 (VAN GOGH Art Gallery, Monaco)
2022 – LIQUID ARSENAL 2022 (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy)
2022 – RenovArt | 100 Artists for the Future (ApuliaAste, Matera, Italy)
2022 – ROME INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022 (ITSLIQUID Group, Rome, Italy)
2022 – VIFAF 2022 – Virtual International Fine Art Fair (World Of Crete, Crete, Greece)
2022 – Avant Garde Exhibition (Virtual Artists, London, UK)
2022 – NFT – NEW FREEDOM THINK 2022 (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy)
2022 – CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022 (ITSLIQUID Group, Venice, Italy)
2022 – I THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND ME (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy & Canary Islands, Spain)
2022 – THE BODY LANGUAGE 2022 (ITSLIQUID Group, Venice, Italy)
2021 – SACRIFICE 2021 (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY, Milan, Italy)
2009 – Larotica II Exhibition (GALLERY ART POINT, Tokyo, Japan)

2025 – ANTHOLOGY THE LAST DECADE 2015-2025 (M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY)
2025 – Le Musee Plus Magazine Vol. 2 (Le Musee Plus)
2025 – Imago 2 (Galleria Tilde)
2025 – Imago (Galleria Tilde)
2024 – Digital Art Creators (365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2024 – Le Musee Plus Magazine (365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2024 – Rothschild Fine Art -2 (365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2024 – People Creating the 21st Century (365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2024 – The Best Contemporary Masters 2024 (Fondazione Effetto Arte)
2024 – The Luxury Collection of Contemporary Artistry (Contemporary Art Collectors)
2023 – WORLD ART GUIDE 2023 (Bellamonti Art)
2023 – PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE VISUAL CULTURE (MUSA International)
2022 – WE CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL ART CATALOG (MUSA International)
2022 – ART ANTHOLOGY V: MADRID EDITION (Guto Ajayu Culture)
2021 onward – 365 Art+ Magazine (365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2019 – Hot Pepper Beauty July 2019 Issue (Recruit Co., Ltd.)
2019 – Otona no Oshare Techo May 2019 Issue (Takarajimasha, Inc.)
2016 – 100 Selected Smartphone Apps to Regulate the Autonomic Nervous System (Gijutsu-Hyoron Co., Ltd.)
2014 – MacPeople July 2014 Issue “What iPhone Developers Are Thinking Now” (ASCII Media Works)
2013 – MacPeople February 2014 Issue “Latest Trends in Popular & Notable Smartphone Apps” (ASCII Media Works)
2010 – Creating Collages and Illustrations with Photoshop & Illustrator (MdN) ISBN: 978-4-8443-6154-1
2010 – The Ultimate Guide to Three-Star Photoshop Techniques (MdN) ISBN: 978-4-8443-6097-1
2009 – GADGET FOR DIGITAL NATIVE (MySpace From JP)
2009 – on View From JP. (MySpace From JP)
2008 – Learning from Leading Creators: Art Expression and Professional Techniques (MdN)
2008 – Photoshop Making Studio (MdN)
Influences
Since 1997, when I was sixteen, my fascination with the emerging internet led me into web design and, soon after, into a broader world of digital creation. That online realm allowed me to meet designers, programmers, and artists beyond national borders, and it gradually formed in me a cross-disciplinary way of seeing.
Alongside this digital path, there was also a quieter inheritance. Both of my grandfathers were miya-daiku, master carpenters engaged in the construction and restoration of sacred architecture. From them I inherited a sense that form and space can be vessels for the invisible, and that craft is a form of devotion. This sensibility has remained with me even when I was working in fields that were not, at first glance, “art.”
My journey later extended to interactive movie production, game development, and app creation, until 2019, when I returned to graphic art. A decisive moment came in late 2019 under the night sky at Kichijoji Station in Tokyo. I witnessed an enigmatic ring of light, and the experience felt like a wordless instruction—almost as though spoken in Latin—to devote myself fully to visual work. That encounter became the catalyst for producing a large body of surreal, symbolic collages.
I have long admired Leonor Fini for the freedom and sovereignty of her practice, and Hans Bellmer for the structural and poetic precision in his works. I first came to know them through the writings of Tatsuhiko Shibusawa, whose interpretations of French literature were deeply formative for me. Above all, however, the person who influenced me the most was a mentor I met online at seventeen, who taught me that art is a universal and natural language, available to every human being.
Future Aspirations and Vision
My artistic goals are closely linked to an interest in what I call “surplus dimensions” that emerge where spirituality and science meet. This interest has grown out of my readings in general relativity, quantum mechanics, and causal set theory, as well as from my own spiritual roots in Jodo Shinshu Otani-ha, the Buddhist tradition cherished by my grandparents.
Through my work I wish to bridge the sacred and the secular, and to restore the fragile connection between human beings and nature. By using symbolic visual storytelling, I bring together motifs from nature, philosophical constructs, and contemporary scientific imagination, so that the inner, sacred dimension can communicate with the wide external world we inhabit.
In essence, I would like my images to act as quiet mediators between these seemingly separate realms. If a viewer can, even for a moment, sense a more compassionate, contemplative future through them, then my practice has served its purpose.
The World Shown to a Child
This vision is also personal. As a father, and as someone who has lived through loss, relocation, and hardship, I have come to believe that art can be a lifelong vow to leave warmth, strength, and beauty to those who come after us. Words are sometimes clumsy, but images can become silent bridges—between generations and languages, and between our inner landscapes and the outer world.
廣川政樹
アーティスト・クリエイター
国際芸術賞16冠のグラフィック/現代美術家。世界各地で展示され、美術書や学術誌にも掲載。愛と平和への祈りを込めた作品を創作しています。

略歴
廣川政樹は、日本のマルチ分野にまたがるアーティスト、UI/UXデザイナー、そしてアプリ開発者である。創作活動は、ビジュアルアート、デジタルメディア、インタラクティブテクノロジーといった領域を横断している。
1997年に独学でWebデザインとプログラミングを学び始め、1999年に株式会社国和システムにDTPオペレーターとして入社。2002年には株式会社NTTデータにてプログラマー/システムエンジニアとして基幹システムの開発に従事し、2005年よりフリーランスとして独立。以降、Webデザイン、プログラミング、グラフィック、インタラクティブムービー制作など幅広く活動を展開した。
2006年、MTV SO-ZOコンペティション(AMD協賛)にてWebスクリーンセーバー部門優秀賞を受賞し、同年から国内外での展覧会出展を開始。2008年以降は、グラフィック専門誌やデザイン書籍への寄稿・執筆を多数手がける。
2011年にはテクニカルアーティストとしてゲーム開発に参加し、2013年には独立系スマートフォンアプリ事業を設立。現在に至るまで、世界中で累計5,000万ダウンロードを超え、月間300万人以上のユーザーに支えられながら、開発・グローバルマーケティング・運営を継続している。
2019年よりグラフィックアート制作を本格的に再開し、ヨーロッパ、アジア、アメリカを中心に国際展覧会への出展を活発化。作品は、人間の意識・美・崩壊の狭間にある象徴的な世界を描き出し、夢と現実の境界を詩的に表現している。
2021年以降、A’ Design Award、Fondazione Effetto Arte、Contemporary Art Collectors、ITSLIQUID Groupなど世界各国の芸術機関から受賞多数。近年では、ギリシャの人道文化領事館による「Award of Achievement」や、ルクセンブルク芸術功労賞「Meritorious Service to the Arts Award」など、国際的評価を確立している。
代表的な展覧会には、LA Art Show(ロサンゼルス)、Ansan International Photo Festival(韓国・安山)、RenovArtプロジェクト(イタリア・マテーラ)、Rome International Art Fair(イタリア・ローマ)などがある。作品は365 Art+ Magazine、Le Musee Plus Magazine、The Best Contemporary Masters、Imago、Anthology – The Last Decade 2015–2025など、多数の国際誌に掲載されている。
アートとテクノロジーの双方に精通し、デジタルと詩的感性の狭間にある表現を追求し続けている。彼の創作は、繊細な共感覚と静かな神秘的インスピレーションが共存する、静謐かつ超現実的な世界を描き出している。

職歴
・創業者/リードデベロッパー(独立系アプリ事業)、2013年–現在:累計5,000万DL、月間300万人超;開発・グローバルマーケ・運営統括。
・インディペンデント・クリエイター(Web/UX・プログラミング・グラフィック)、2005年–現在:UX/UI設計〜実装;2008年以降寄稿多数。
・テクニカルアーティスト(ゲーム開発)、2011年:ツール導線構築、アセット統合、リアルタイム最適化。
・プログラマー/SE(株式会社NTTデータ)、2002年:基幹システム設計・実装。
・DTPオペレーター(株式会社国和システム)、2000年:プリプレス/レイアウト/制作。
・ビジュアルアーティスト(国際展)、2019年–現在:欧州・アジア・米州で出展、A’ Design Award等で受賞・評価。

2025年 Award of Achievement(ギリシャ・ハニア 人道文化領事館 主催)
2025年 The New Great Masters in New York(Fondazione Effetto Arte 主催)
2025年 W* Recognition(A’Design Award 主催)
2024年 Meritorious Service to the Arts Award(Luxembourg Art Prize 主催)
2024年 Phoenix for the Arts(Fondazione Effetto Arte 主催)
2024年 Global Art Virtuoso Award(Contemporary Art Collectors 主催)
2023年 Harmony for Humanity Art Prize(Contemporary Art Collectors 主催)
2023年 Career Art Award(Fondazione Effetto Arte 主催)
2023年 The Genius of Italy – ミケランジェロ国際芸術賞(Fondazione Effetto Arte 主催)
2023年 A’Design Award Golden Award(写真・フォトマニピュレーション部門)
2022年 第12回 ITSLIQUID International Contest 栄誉賞
2022年 BEST COVER ARTIST AWARD(365 Art+ Business Magazine 主催)
2022年 A’Design Award Iron Award(グラフィックデザイン部門)
2021年 第11回 ITSLIQUID International Contest 栄誉賞
2021年 ARTIST OF THE YEAR(ITSLIQUID Group 主催)
2006年 MTV SO-ZO Competition supported by AMD『Webスクリーンセーバー部門』優秀賞受賞

2025年 Ansan International Photo Festival(Ansan Culture & Arts Center/韓国・安山)
2025年 KINTSUGI(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ)
2025年 TRACES OF DREAMS(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ)
2024年 LA ART SHOW - Los Angeles Art Market(Fondazione Effetto Arte/アメリカ・ロサンゼルス)
2023年 International Good Design Exhibition(A’Design Award/イタリア・ローマ)
2023年 ENIGMI(Arte Borgo Gallery/イタリア・ローマ)
2023年 RenovArt | Shapes of Nature(ApuliaAste/イタリア・マテーラ)
2023年 CENSORED(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ)
2023年 RenovArt | Panta Rhei(ApuliaAste/イタリア・マテーラ)
2023年 RenovArt | Flowing Identities(Spazio Opera Gallery, ApuliaAste/イタリア・マテーラ)
2023年 FROM THE DISTANCE(VAN GOGH Art Gallery/スペイン・マドリード)
2023年 RenovArt | Flowing Identities(ApuliaAste/イタリア・マテーラ)
2023年 artbook事務局ギャラリー(株式会社トベル/日本・恵比寿)
2023年 Paris 2023 International Contemporary Art Fair(VAN GOGH Art Gallery/フランス・パリ)
2022年 BRAIN CAKE 2022(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/スペイン・バルセロナ/カサ・ミラ)
2022年 ADRENOCROMO FOR DINNER 2022(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ&スペイン・カナリア諸島)
2022年 WE CONTEMPORARY CATALOG & ART SHOW(MUSA International/イタリア・ローマ)
2022年 RenovArt | 100 Artists for the Future(11月展/ApuliaAste/イタリア・マテーラ)
2022年 GUARDIANS OF DREAMS 2022(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ)
2022年 LONDON CONTEMPORARY 2022(ITSLIQUID Group/イギリス・ロンドン)
2022年 PRETTY PERV 2022(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ&スペイン・カナリア諸島)
2022年 International Digital Art Exhibition(VAN GOGH Art Gallery/スペイン・マドリード)
2022年 ORIZZONTI TRASVERSALI 2022(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ)
2022年 CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2022(ITSLIQUID Group/イタリア・ヴェネツィア)
2022年 RenovArt | 100 Artists for the Future(7月展/ApuliaAste/イタリア・マテーラ)
2022年 International Contemporary Art Fair Monaco 2022(VAN GOGH Art Gallery/モナコ公国)
2022年 LIQUID ARSENAL 2022(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ)
2022年 RenovArt | 100 Artists for the Future(ApuliaAste/イタリア・マテーラ)
2022年 ROME INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022(ITSLIQUID Group/イタリア・ローマ)
2022年 VIFAF 2022 - Virtual International Fine Art Fair(World Of Crete/ギリシャ・クレタ島)
2022年 Avant Garde Exhibition(Virtual Artists/イギリス・ロンドン)
2022年 NFT - NEW FREEDOM THINK 2022(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ)
2022年 CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022(ITSLIQUID Group/イタリア・ヴェネツィア)
2022年 I THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND ME(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ&スペイン・カナリア諸島)
2022年 THE BODY LANGUAGE 2022(ITSLIQUID Group/イタリア・ヴェネツィア)
2021年 SACRIFICE 2021(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY/イタリア・ミラノ)
2009年 Larotica II 展(GALLERY ART POINT/日本・銀座)

2025年 ANTHOLOGY THE LAST DECADE 2015-2025(M.A.D.S. ART GALLERY)
2025年 Le Musee Plus Magazine Vol. 2(Le Musee Plus)
2025年 Imago 2(Galleria Tilde)
2025年 Imago(Galleria Tilde)
2024年 Digital Art Creators(365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2024年 Le Musee Plus Magazine(365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2024年 Rothschild Fine Art -2(365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2024年 People Creating the 21st Century(365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2024年 The Best Contemporary Masters 2024(Fondazione Effetto Arte)
2024年 The Luxury Collection of Contemporary Artistry(Contemporary Art Collectors)
2023年 WORLD ART GUIDE 2023(Bellamonti Art)
2023年 PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE VISUAL CULTURE(MUSA International)
2022年 WE CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL ART CATALOG(MUSA International)
2022年 ART ANTHOLOGY V: MADRID EDITION(Guto Ajayu Culture)
2021年〜 365 Art+ Magazine(365 Art+ Business Magazine)
2019年 ホットペッパービューティー 2019年7月号(リクルート)
2019年 大人のおしゃれ手帖 2019年5月号(宝島社)
2016年 自律神経を整えるスマホアプリ100選(技術評論社)
2014年 月刊 MacPeople 2014年7月号『iPhoneデベロッパーがいま考えていること』(アスキー・メディアワークス)
2013年 月刊 MacPeople 2014年2月号『人気&注目のデベロッパーに聞く!スマホアプリの最新トレンド!』(アスキー・メディアワークス)
2010年 Photoshop × Illustratorで創り出す コラージュ&イラスト(MdN)ISBN: 978-4-8443-6154-1
2010年 Photoshop 三ツ星テクニック大全(MdN)ISBN: 978-4-8443-6097-1
2009年 GADGET FOR DIGITAL NATIVE(MySpace From JP)
2009年 on View From JP.(MySpace From JP)
2008年 注目のクリエイターたちに学ぶ アート表現、プロの魅せ方・つくり方(MdN)
2008年 Photoshop Making Studio(MdN)
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