Able Art Company: Art By The Disabled

10 Jul 2008 Category: Conscientious Design, Events & Exhibitions, Japan

Able Art Company: Art By The Disabled

Colourful row! A T-shirt collection designed through a collaboration with Able Art Company artists. Photo by Momo Yago

A while ago, we showed you some great art created by special people. This time, PingMag would like to introduce you to Able Art Company that promotes artists with disabilities. Since April last year, it gives them a platform for their art, for example, by collaborating with Tee makers graniph or Laundry and putting the artists’ designs on their lines. Established by the Tanpopo-no-ye Foundation in Nara, Able Art Japan in Tokyo, and Koubou Maru in Fukuoka, it took the group one full year to prepare their artists’ second exhibition called “Colors,” right now at Daikanyama i-studio, Tokyo. PingMag talked with Tanpopo-no-ye Foundation’s Yumiko Shibasaki.

Written by Ryoko
Translated by Kevin Mcgue

The “Colors” event at Daikanyama i-studio. Photo by Momo Yago. Photo by Momo Yago

Able Art Company started only last year. What exactly do you do?

Once a year we accept submissions from people with disabilities who wish to work in the art field. Applicants send in paintings, illustrations, and other. We choose 16 who become “company artists,” and we manage licensing their works for advertisements and products.


The company artists’ motifs on the front cover of a magazine…

… and on calendars.

… yes, even on furoshiki!

A beautiful furoshiki that can be used for sorts of other purposes as well.

Oh, nice! Hand drawn water bottle labels…

… and salad dressing labels.

Interesting! And how many artists applied this year?

Last October, 105 people applied. At this exhibition, we are now displaying 96 works by the 16 selected artists.

The Able Art Company exhibits displayed on colourful tables. Photo by Momo Yago

We remember, the style of last year’s exhibition was quite different. Why is that?

Last year, we had many creators submit individual works. This year, we wanted to show that the artists already have a track record, so we collaborated with seven brands such as T-shirt makers graniph or Laundry to put the designs onto their shirts and other products.

T-shirts on display at the exhibition. Photo by Momo Yago

There are 23 T-shirt designs made through collaborations with brands. Each brand chose the works they wanted to feature and also selected the colours and shapes of the finished product.


A sweet bird pattern made in collaboration with Laundry.

A skull motif made by the brand Shaking.

The works in this exhibition are divided into three categories: One is the T-shirts that we made with seven the brands. Another are the original works from the artists that are on display. And the third group consists of cards and other objects that the artists made in our workshop.

Drawings, illustrations and sketches to show the artists’ skills. Photo by Momo Yago

Wow, quite an abstract blue creature on the left! A postcard.

Cute animals transformed into charms for mobile phones.

The illustrations are also used to delicately decorate coffee mugs…

… and bowls and cups. Photo by Momo Yago

Oh, these little toys on the T-shirts! Are they also by Able Art Company artists?

These were made through a sole collaboration with Rody. In this case, rather than the brand selecting designs form the works we submit, Rody came to us and asked for original designs. So we had a competition at the Able Art Company - “Let’s draw Rody!” - And then the brand selected the works they like. By the way, these small sculptures were submitted as 3D works for that contest and we have them here in the exhibition as extra decoration.

Cute little objects made for the Rody brand. Photo by Momo Yago

Cute! The T-Shirt design chosen through a competition at the Able Art Company.

And another one made for Rody.

We also did a collaboration with “Mix Cider,” a brand that started as a project by students at Kobe Design University. They believed that you don’t have to think about disabilities when doing art, as the important thing is expressing feelings. And they kindly collaborated with us this time.


Nice pattern! A T-shirt by the student brand “Mix Cider”…

… and more of the collaboration with Kobe Design Uni.

Which design is your favourite, personally?

I like the T-shirt with a penguin made with graniph. These days, most designs are done by computer, but this one was done by hand, giving it a warm, wonderful feeling!

Staff member Ms. Yamaguchi of Able Art Japan at the exhibition wearing a Tee made in collaboration with graniph. By the way, see more works by the artist on the lower left.

It took a whole year to prepare the exhibition…?

Yes, it was pretty tough. (Laughs) Art Director, Kenichi Suzuki started the planning and many people helped out to reach this point. There were three civil offices filling various roles, so it was quite a big project. Tanpopo-no-ye Foundation helped coordinating with some of the artists and shipping some of the works, Able Art Japan helped us with sales, and Koubou Maru helped us put together an exhibition at the Able Art Company. Of course, with so many people involved, there were differences of opinion along the way, but I experienced a lot of and no longer think of it as a hard job.


A fun keyholder. Photo by Momo Yago

Ceramics made at Koubou Maru. Photo by Momo Yago

These postcards are perfect for summer greeting cards!

Small greeting cards.

Finally, any message for visitors of the exhibition?

I hope many people in the design field will come to see the works and what Able Art Company is doing. And I hope we can continue to provide an environment in which artists with disabilities can continue to create what they love.

Thanks Yumiko Shibasaki, PingMag will do everything we can to support the Able Art Company! Folks, go down to Daikanyama to have a look!!

COLORS Exhibition

At Daikanyama i-studio.
Address: 1-36-10 Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya. Map.
Running until Sunday July 13th, 2008.
Open: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

75 Comments

  1. The designs are very warm and human while the colours are very bright. I hope more of these works get licensed so the artist can have the motivation to more designs. Thanks again for the article.

    Posted by: Cyberpukish on July 10th, 2008 at 8:54 pm

  2. So impressive! I wish I could visit in person!!!

    Posted by: Emme on July 10th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

  3. nice illustration… i hope i could draw something with the “soul” like them..

    Posted by: 123 on July 11th, 2008 at 4:47 am

  4. I’m not sure what you would call it, but I don’t think the English word for “furoshiki” is “bath mat”!

    Really lovely stuff! I wish I could go and see it myself. I hope they open an online store.

    Posted by: anon on July 11th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

  5. great stuff from the retarded

    Posted by: punkwhiteboy on July 11th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

  6. It’s wonderful how socially inclusive we can be when we drop our preconceptions of what people can do. Afterall, people are more than what we can select…! Kudos to the artists at Able Art. :)

    Posted by: Aroldo on July 19th, 2008 at 6:45 am

  7. i will go to japan someday…

    Posted by: mona sisa on July 31st, 2008 at 2:25 pm

  8. thanks a lot

    Posted by: hikaye on August 22nd, 2008 at 2:30 am

  9. Hi,
    I live in Vancouver, B.C. and wondered if you could assist in any way in helping me locate companies in Japan that I might contact to either sell or act as distributors for our lovely line of British Columbia scenic greeting cards? Assistance of any kind would be very dearly appreciated. Below is the information I would send to them.

        I live in Vancouver, B.C., Canada and am the representative for a lovely line of 24 British Columbia west coast scenic greeting cards.  Our website is:  coastimages.ca    The cards are of the highest quality and most professional looking and come with a matching colored envelope, a bookmark with the card's image on it, and are enclosed in a clear plastic sleeve.
    I encourage you to have a look at the website, and especially have a look at the section 'Coming Soon' as the artist has another 12 images presently being printed, two them being eye-catching inukshuk images which should do especially well during Vancouver's 2010 Olympics!
    I think these truly west coast images would work particularly well in your location.  We have been selling our cards in the British Columbia market for the last six years and have seen tremendous interest in this truly west coast product.  

    If you would like to consider being a distributor of our line of cards, we would be pleased to provide more information regarding pricing, as well as email you a sample of our order form which is very visual as it includes striking color photos of all of our cards.

    Thanks for giving this your consideration.

    Len Shane (604) 274-6923 (sales rep for ‘Coast Images’)

    eg. Here is a sample of the art. Above is also an attachment of our order form

          with beautiful color pictures of our 24 greeting cards.

    Posted by: len shane on February 14th, 2009 at 3:47 am

  10. [...] A while ago, we showed you some great art created by special people. This time, PingMag would like to introduce you to Able Art Company that promotes artists with disabilities. Since April last year, it gives them a platform for their art, for example, by collaborating with Tee makers graniph or Laundry and putting the artists’ designs on their lines. Established by the Tanpopo-no-ye Foundation in Nara, Able Art Japan in Tokyo, and Koubou Maru in Fukuoka, it took the group one full year to prepare their artists’ second exhibition called “Colors,” right now at Daikanyama i-studio, Tokyo. Read the full story>>> [...]

    Posted by: Kevin Mcgue - Tokyo-Based Journalist & Filmmaker » Able Art Company: Art By The Disabled on March 2nd, 2009 at 10:04 pm

  11. I like T-shirt with penguins

    Posted by: Dragoner on March 16th, 2010 at 5:04 pm

  12. [...] Read the English version at PingMag» [...]

    Posted by: Kevin Mcgue | “Able Art Company: Art By The Disabled” Translation on April 16th, 2010 at 10:42 pm

  13. blog, your very good health effort :))..

    Posted by: forex on September 5th, 2010 at 9:13 am

  14. i will go to japan someday…

    Posted by: porno on October 5th, 2010 at 11:22 am

  15. I wanna say thanks for this nice technique, it is neccessary for us… and helpfull

    Posted by: cctv kamera on February 27th, 2011 at 3:15 pm

  16. It is nice to find a site about my interest. My first visit to your site is been a big help. Thank you for the efforts you been putting on making your site such an interesting and informative place to browse through. I’ll be visiting your site again to gather some more valuable information. You truly did a good job.

    I hope you have a nice day! Very good article, wedsgsdgll written and very thought out. I am looking forward to reading more of your posts in the future.

    Posted by: men watches online on May 23rd, 2011 at 10:38 am

  17. A very resourcesfull page;great website.

    Posted by: ovulation calendar gender selection on May 30th, 2011 at 5:21 am

  18. I found this website very appealing providing a rich learning content.

    Posted by: diet on June 2nd, 2011 at 11:07 pm

  19. Yeast Infection is something you dont knead to live with there is many cures

    Posted by: Anonymous on June 3rd, 2011 at 6:00 am

  20. You Need Something That Works LONG TERM.

    Posted by: The Diet Solution that really works on June 5th, 2011 at 4:55 pm

  21. Make some serious money within 48 hours.

    Posted by: Easy Money Instant Pay on June 10th, 2011 at 3:33 pm

  22. You can Be capable of geting more Higher Public relations backlinks than all of your rivals, Find out precisely what your competitors do so your in a position to out do them, Get enough Higher Public relations backlinks to rank on page one or even better #1, The best of this is its click on the computer mouse three times and get access to HIGH Public relations backlinks …[more details]

    Posted by: You can Be capable of geting more Higher Public relations backlinks than all of your rivals, Find out precisely what your competitors do on June 12th, 2011 at 3:05 am

  23. I want to see the many development of this site.

    Posted by: reverse phone lookup on June 15th, 2011 at 2:35 pm

  24. I like your way of thinking. Personal development and its many forms are really close to my heart. I also believe in getting different points of view on this subject to really broaden my thinking.

    Posted by: personal development on June 16th, 2011 at 1:26 am

  25. Turbine Idroelettriche

    Posted by: energie rinnovabili on June 17th, 2011 at 10:35 am

  26. Ive got to share this topic with the world!

    Posted by: Internet Strategy on June 25th, 2011 at 2:21 pm

  27. I am so glad you guys showed me where to find a great deal on a simmons mattress.

    Posted by: simmons on July 4th, 2011 at 8:02 pm

  28. Thanks,Ive got to share this topic with the world!

    Posted by: Pricing Strategy Marketing on July 10th, 2011 at 7:29 pm

  29. I would be very leary of Reverse Mortgages, primarily because of the indivuals promoting this open ended solution to all problems.

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 19th, 2011 at 1:10 am

  30. are going to resign because of the phone hacking scandal!

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 20th, 2011 at 5:49 am

  31. buyrun siteye mukemmel yarra yerıng

    Posted by: goruntulu sohbet on July 26th, 2011 at 11:06 pm

  32. Even the disabled Japanese are artistic and able. Truly inspiring.

    Posted by: Video Production Philadelphia on July 28th, 2011 at 7:07 am

  33. Playful kiddie stuff! Just too cute!

    Posted by: Pergola Construction on July 28th, 2011 at 7:22 am

  34. Wonderful isn’t it how kids’ art are always cute even if they’re not perfect? They look nice on the shirts and on mugs and stuff.

    Posted by: Wedding Videography NJ on July 28th, 2011 at 7:32 am

  35. It’s awesome when people provide avenues for those with disabilities to express their worth!

    Posted by: Fence PA on July 28th, 2011 at 7:50 am

  36. Your blog posts are awsome. I like it. Please keep updating your posts.I think it is great for facial treatments for acne.

    Posted by: facial treatments for acne on July 29th, 2011 at 1:23 am

  37. kahkaha felsefe edebiyat seo bizim isimiz tum kelimelerde kafaya oturun google arayin profeseonel diye gelin cikaralim

    Posted by: goruntulu sohbet on August 6th, 2011 at 1:01 am

  38. I believe you convey some fascinating points that not too many people discuss . It’s fascinating to see it from this perspective. I really enjoyed the post!

    Posted by: Bill Poulos Forex on August 10th, 2011 at 5:03 pm

  39. I’ve by no means seen it from that perspective. Fortunately there are a couple of ways to do things. I actually take pleasure in enterprise and finance so this post gives some fascinating concepts for me to think about.

    Posted by: Marketing Strategy Template on August 16th, 2011 at 5:26 pm

  40. I always prefer to undertsand a brand new means of looking at it. Thanks for the information. I always like to undertsand a new means of taking a look at it. Thanks for the information.

    Posted by: Examples Viral Marketing on August 17th, 2011 at 12:43 pm

  41. I always prefer to undertsand a brand new manner of looking at it. Thanks for the information. I never thought of it like that.

    Posted by: Skinny Guy Muscle on August 21st, 2011 at 8:59 am

  42. This read was attention-grabbing to read. I am blissful to seek out this put up as a result of I’m interested in the topic.

    Posted by: Natural Products Database on September 9th, 2011 at 9:55 am

  43. Good Aritcle

    Posted by: All Failure on October 21st, 2011 at 1:30 am

  44. Gran articulo. Somos seguidores vuestros desde hace tiempo y queriamos aprovechar este comentario para felicitaros por vuestro blog y por el trabajo que estais haciendo en los articulos…

    Posted by: Jamon Iberico on November 3rd, 2011 at 12:43 am

  45. I’ve said that least 4274900 times. The problem this like that is they are just too compilcated for the average bird, if you know what I mean

    Posted by: a4274900 on November 4th, 2011 at 5:39 am

  46. In theory I’d like to write like this too dd

    Posted by: men watches online on November 5th, 2011 at 12:20 pm

  47. http://www.happyseasons.gr Online Store

    Posted by: χριστουγεννιατικα δεντρα on November 8th, 2011 at 9:50 pm

  48. Your business sounds interesting. Why is it important to the industry?

    Posted by: See Clear Without Glasses on November 10th, 2011 at 10:06 am

  49. Good Article …. Excellent !!!! visit automotive :-bd

    Posted by: Information Automotive on November 11th, 2011 at 9:37 pm

  50. Very good for what you say. How do I track a new look next time.

    Posted by: Black Friday Garmin nuvi 350 on November 12th, 2011 at 1:37 pm

  51. It good article.

    Posted by: Black Friday D55168 on November 12th, 2011 at 10:14 pm

  52. Nice for me

    Posted by: Black Friday Dewalt D55168 on November 12th, 2011 at 10:14 pm

  53. It good article. Black Friday D55168

    Posted by: Black Friday D55168 on November 13th, 2011 at 12:01 am

  54. Nice for me Black Friday Dewalt D55168

    Posted by: Black Friday Dewalt D55168 on November 13th, 2011 at 12:02 am

  55. Osmanlı İnşaatın Yeni Başlatmış Olduğu Projeleri Bu Site Üzerinden Takip Edebilirsiniz..

    Posted by: Osmanlı İnşaat Forum on November 24th, 2011 at 8:15 pm

  56. Reviews & Best Buy Online For Black Friday D5100 Compare Price On Black Friday And Cyber Monday 2011

    Posted by: Black Friday D5100 on November 26th, 2011 at 2:05 pm

  57. Best 32 Lcd Pc Review & Buy at Cheap Price

    Posted by: 32 Lcd Pc on November 26th, 2011 at 6:51 pm

  58. Check out our Cyber Monday deals on everything from cell phones with service to no-contract phones, unlocked phones, Bluetooth headsets, cases, chargers, and more

    Posted by: technology on November 28th, 2011 at 3:34 pm

  59. Thank you for good content..

    Posted by: gps best maps on November 28th, 2011 at 4:36 pm

  60. Timex Ironman Watches

    Posted by: Timex Watches on November 30th, 2011 at 6:08 pm

  61. Travel Trips has been succesfully catering to travellers across the globe with its well established and secured Global Hotel Reservation System. Our 24X7 customer care support is there all along to help people with their hotel reservations, cancellations and other related issues. Featured are some interesting testimonials from our valued customers vouching for the credibility of Travel Trips.

    Posted by: Travel Trips on December 6th, 2011 at 2:36 am

  62. I think this is all politics

    Posted by: Abdominal muscle on December 8th, 2011 at 5:50 am

  63. I’m very lucky to have found this website, this is exactly what I have been looking for All I can say is wow, you hit the nail by the head.

    Posted by: The Visayas on December 12th, 2011 at 10:18 am

  64. ilikebigmuscles.blogspot.com is the best site I have seen out there that have really good tip of how to workout, eat healthy food, what are bad/good of protein how much is good and bad. So check it out :

    Posted by: Healthy and Strong Body Tips on December 22nd, 2011 at 11:07 am

  65. Great post. Keep them coming. Washington DC Sightseeing Tours.

    Posted by: tour of washington dc on January 2nd, 2012 at 4:18 pm

  66. Thank you. O like this post. I would like to share at my facebook account.

    Posted by: zayifla on January 11th, 2012 at 6:58 am

  67. Find here the best, the Top Recreation and Home Business: the best services, free and paid programs, best recreation websites, best shopping and marketplace, traffic and marketing free websites.

    Posted by: Recreation and Business on January 12th, 2012 at 5:59 am

  68. Thank you. I’ll sharing the post at my twitter.

    Posted by: Laptop Özellikleri on January 12th, 2012 at 6:28 am

  69. ηλεκτρονικο τσιγαρο,ego-T

    Posted by: ηλεκτρονικο τσιγαρο on January 12th, 2012 at 6:41 pm

  70. Yes I like your comments and i hope you also like my suggestion here. Please click to view.

    Posted by: Recreation and Business on January 14th, 2012 at 1:17 pm

  71. Hi Very informative page, I will be back to view more. Keep up the good work.Play free flash games at http://www.gametriot.com ,It is a place for one who cannot live without gaming.

    Posted by: christmas crossword on January 15th, 2012 at 11:10 pm

  72. The free online marketplace which allows the small business and individual seller to reach their buyers over the internet, finally releases the service for the public to use.

    Posted by: Malaysia's Online Marketplace on January 23rd, 2012 at 10:19 pm

  73. Polnische Band | Polnische Hochzeit | Deutsch polnische Band

    Posted by: MOTET- POLNISCHE Live Musik NRW MOTET POLNISCHE -Live Musik NRW on January 27th, 2012 at 7:12 am

  74. Hi ….. I have information about Whirlpool washers, you should read them and get tips and tricks commersial business with Whirlpool washers.

    Posted by: whirlpool washers on January 27th, 2012 at 4:55 pm

  75. Hey there! I’ve been reading your website for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Houston Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the great job!

    Posted by: Francisco Lacoss on January 31st, 2012 at 12:41 am

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag