Seiji Shimoda, a renowned Japanese artist, has gained recognition for his pioneering contributions to the arena of performance art. His unique approach combines painting and interactive performance, resulting in a multidisciplinary artistic experience. Over the way of his impressive career spanning two decades, Shimoda has received international acclaim for his innovative and thought-provoking creations. His work goes beyond traditional artistic boundaries, delving into the dynamic relationship between the performer, the audience, and the surrounding environment. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Shimoda is highly active and respected in the Japanese art scene, serving as a performer, poet, arts promoter, organizer, curator, and lecturer at Musashino Art University in Tokyo. Since graduating from Osaka City University in 1977, Shimoda’s work has been showcased at numerous international festivals, conferences, and galleries across more than 30 countries in Europe, North and Central America, and Asia.

The Nippon International Performance Art Festival (NIPAF), established in 1993, holds a prestigious position worldwide, with Seiji Shimoda who is serving as its director. Under Shimoda’s guidance, NIPAF has emerged as one of the most influential festivals in the global performance art community, attracting performance artists from all corners of the globe. Over the years, NIPAF has showcased the works of more than 300 international and Asian performance artists from 45 different countries, hosting two annual festivals across various cities in Japan. This festival has played a crucial role in creating a global platform for avant-garde artists, reflecting Shimoda’s unwavering commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and artistic exchange. It has become a symbol of innovation and boundary-pushing performances, featuring artists who challenge conventional norms.

Additionally, Shimoda organizes tours under the NIPAF umbrella to promote art exchange and facilitate discussions on performance art in countries such as the US, Poland, Philippines, Germany, and Spain. In 2000, Shimoda made history as the first Asian artist to receive the esteemed Bessie Award for Dance and Performance in New York. Shimoda’s own performances are a fusion of action poetry, movement, and physicality, utilizing everyday objects like chopsticks, chairs, tables, and his own body in unique and captivating ways.