The Kyoto Archive of Art by People with Disabilities

Ever since HAMANAKA Toru began drawing pictures at the age of 19, he has self-taught and continued to draw his own view of the world.

Each painting tells its own story: one is of a flog listening to a crystalline radio, another of flying mechanical watch insects, and yet another depicts a camera with unusual functions.
These works are produced using an original method. Using a ruler or a compass, Toru copies a preliminary sketch onto a sheet of tracing paper and attaches pencil powder on the back of the paper. He traces the line from the front of the paper, transferring the line onto the final paper. He then draws the line with a freehand technique, producing uniform and delicate lines.
His ability of careful observation is indispensable to creating this unique world. He says, "I like to stop to observe things along the road. Even in December you can find at least three spring flowers if you look for them." His pieces are created from careful observation of this world, which we so often take for granted without even realizing it.