Shozo Shimamoto (1928–2013) was a pioneering Japanese artist and co-founder of the avant-garde Gutai Art Group. Born in Osaka, Shimamoto studied under Jiro Yoshihara and developed a distinctive style characterized by dramatic, performative actions such as throwing paint-filled vases and slashing canvases. His early accidental puncturing of surfaces led to a career-long exploration of the "hole" as a formal element, challenging traditional notions of art.

Shimamoto’s work extended beyond painting into performance art and mail art, emphasizing the interplay between chance and control. His abstract paintings, often featuring vivid colors and irregular holes, captured the physical act of creation. His groundbreaking "Ana" (Holes) series paralleled similar explorations by Italian artist Lucio Fontana. Shimamoto's works are in major collections worldwide, including the Tate Gallery and the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art. He passed away on January 25, 2013, in Osaka. Read Less