Central Department Store and J. Front Retailing Present “CENRETA ART AWARD 2026 THAILAND + JAPAN: Exhibition in Nagoya”
Showcasing 47 Finalist Artworks from the “CENRETA ART AWARD 2025” in Nagoya, Japan
Central Department Store, under Central Retail, in collaboration with J. Front Retailing and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores of Japan, is presenting the “CENRETA ART AWARD 2026 THAILAND + JAPAN: Exhibition in Nagoya.” The exhibition features 47 finalist artworks from the CENRETA ART AWARD 2025, on display at Matsuzakaya Nagoya Department Store in Nagoya, Japan.
The exhibition celebrates the creativity and vision of emerging artists from Thailand and Japan through artworks that reflect perspectives on society, culture, and human connections in today’s world.
The CENRETA ART AWARD is an international art competition jointly established to provide students and young creatives from Thailand and Japan with a platform to showcase their talents and exchange ideas through art. The name “CENRETA” is inspired by the words “Senri,” representing creativity and limitless future possibilities, and “Rita,” symbolizing generosity and consideration for others. Together, they embody the award’s mission of creating opportunities and fostering connections among young artists on an international scale.
For the 2025 edition, the competition was held under the theme “EXCHANGE,” inviting participants to explore relationships between oneself and others, individuals and society, as well as the connections among people, cultures, and diverse perspectives. In a world shaped by globalization and rapid communication, participating artists expressed ideas about encounters, relationships, and transcending boundaries through various art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, video art, and digital art.
The exhibition presents 47 shortlisted works selected from more than 400 submissions, alongside the three award-winning pieces that were judged and announced at Central Chidlom Department Store in Bangkok on 8 October 2025. The winners are:
Grand Prize: Nozomu Kubota (Japan) for “AI’s Silent Omissions” (Video Art)
Excellence Award: Manami Okamoto (Japan) for “A Fish Out of Water” (Photography)
Jury Recommendation Award: Lily Onga (Thailand) for “Animated Receipt: Recorded in Kappabashi” (Video Art)
The exhibition opening was attended by distinguished guests, including Keiji Ono, President and Representative Executive Officer of J. Front Retailing, together with Nattheera Boonsri, Chief Executive Officer, and Ravisara Chirathivat, Chief Marketing Officer of Central Department Store Group under Central Retail, who joined in congratulating the award-winning artists and emerging talents from both countries.
In addition, Matsuzakaya Nagoya is hosting a special exhibition titled “HIROTO RAKUSHO Solo Exhibition ‘Mede-Thai’ Golden Prayers — Japan ∞ Thailand, Between the Light.” Through the use of gold leaf, artist Hiroto Rakusho explores the beauty of the “spirit of prayer” and the “memory of beauty,” creating a cultural dialogue between Thailand and Japan that reflects inner peace, spirituality, and aesthetic traditions shared by both nations.
Another key highlight is the collaboration with Thai Festival in Nagoya 2026, held at Hisaya Odori Park, located near Matsuzakaya Nagoya. The festival showcases Thai cuisine, culture, performances, and entertainment. Visitors can also participate in the “Ganesha Lucky Stamp Rally,” which connects the Thai Festival venue, Matsuzakaya Nagoya, and Nagoya PARCO, creating a vibrant cultural experience that brings together art, culture, and people from both countries.
The “CENRETA ART AWARD 2026 THAILAND + JAPAN: Exhibition in Nagoya” represents another significant milestone in the collaboration between Central Department Store, J. Front Retailing, and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores. Through the power of creativity and the talents of young artists, the exhibition promotes artistic and cultural exchange while strengthening the longstanding relationship between Thailand and Japan. It also lays the foundation for future collaborations and new opportunities in the fields of art and culture between the two nations.
