Friends of Jinny pairs 40 international illustrators with 40 locals from Jingumae 2-chome, Shibuya, creating collaborative artworks inspired by stories from the neighborhood. Exhibited at Jinny Street Gallery throughout its streets, the works merge personal narratives with the community’s unique spirit, connecting people across borders.
Friends of Jinnyは、渋谷・神宮前2丁目の地元住民40人と海外のイラストレーター40人をペアにし、街のストーリーに着想を得た共同作品を制作するプロジェクトです。作品は路上ギャラリーのJinny Street Galleryで展示され、個々の物語とコミュニティの独自の魅力を融合させ、国境を越えたつながりを生み出します。
Jingumae Ni-chome is a quiet neighborhood tucked just behind the bustling streets of Harajuku, Shibuya.
Walking through Jingumae-nichome feels like stepping into a close-knit community where people are friendly, familiar, and know one another.
It’s a calm and welcoming place to stroll, connect, and feel at ease.
神宮前2丁目は、渋谷・原宿の賑やかな通りのすぐ裏にある、落ち着いた静かな街です。
神宮前2丁目を歩くと、まるで人々が顔なじみで互いに親しみを持つ、緊密なコミュニティに足を踏み入れたかのように感じられます。
穏やかで居心地の良い街並みは、ゆったり散歩をしたり、人とつながったり、心を落ち着けたりするのに最適な場所です。
For all of us at Jinny Street Gallery, coming from different parts of the world, “Jingumae Ni-chome” has become our Japanese home away from home – a place we return to and feel we belong.
For all of us at Jinny Street Gallery, coming from different parts of the world, “Jingumae Ni-chome” has become our Japanese home away from home – a place we return to and feel we belong.
Eligibility
This open call is open to illustrators and creators of all levels, both amateur and professional, worldwide.
Originality
All submitted artworks must be original
works created by the entrant. Any form of plagiarism or copyright infringement will result in disqualification.
Theme
Friends of Jinny is a community-based illustration project focused on connection, empathy, and storytelling. Selected artists will be paired with a neighborhood participant (“Jinny person”) and invited to create an illustration inspired by their story, personality, or daily life.
Deadlines
The deadline for submissions is Feb 15th. Submissions must be on time to be accepted.
Limits
The submission will be of 1 artwork. it could be a High Res scan of your analog work or a digital illustration.
Technical Limitations
Submitted Artworks will be printed at approximately 8x10 inches. A minimum of 12 megapixel images must be submitted.
“Friends of Jinny” is a project born from this feeling of closeness.
Through the “Friends of Jinny” collaborations, we aim to strengthen our community through art while fostering deeper mutual understanding.
Apply here to participate!
“But what do I actually need to draw??”
Take inspiration from the stories around Jingumae Ni-chome and bring them to life through your artwork. You can create portraits of the people you meet, capturing their unique personalities or daily routines. Or, focus on the places they inhabit—like the storefronts where they work or the spaces that reflect their lives. Dive into the details of their day-to-day experiences and express them visually, whether through people, places, or moments that stand out.
There are infinite ways to interpret this—let your creativity flow!
Application Process
To apply to the project, please register using the form above with your personal details and a portfolio of your work. We will contact you if you are selected for the exhibition.
If your portfolio file is too large to share, please send it via WeTransfer.
If you have an online portfolio (Behance or similar platforms), you may submit a link instead.
Deadline
The deadline for submissions is February 15th. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Selection Process & Timeline
Selection Announcement: Selected artists will be announced during the first week of March.
After Selection: Each selected artist will be paired with a participant from our neighborhood who has chosen to take part in the project. You will receive photos and a profile of the assigned person.
Artwork Submission Deadline: Final artworks must be submitted by the first week of April.
Submission Costs and Rewards
Submission fee: Free of charge.
Exhibition Details
The curators of Jinny Street Gallery will review all applications based on creativity, originality, and adherence to the theme.
Selected artists will participate in the exhibition “BFriends of Jinny”, held at Jinny Street Gallery, Tokyo, from April 15th to May 9th.
A maximum of 42 illustrators will be selected, with one artwork displayed in each street display case of the gallery.
Notification
Only selected illustrators will be notified via email during the week of March 2nd. Further details will be shared by email.
Concerning Portraits of Participants
In this project, you may choose to design and reproduce the face and physical features of the Jinny participant assigned to you.
Any caricatural or stylistic interpretation that could potentially offend or harm the participant will not be accepted. If such content is submitted, the artwork will be removed and the artist will lose the right to participate in the exhibition.
Usage Rights
By submitting illustrations to this open call, entrants grant Jinny Street Gallery a non-exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display the submitted works for promotional purposes.
Copyright of the images remains with the illustrator.
Important Notes for Selected Artists
Please ensure that your illustrations adhere to the technical specifications provided after selection.
By applying to this project, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to abide by all submission guidelines and terms outlined in this open call.
For any questions or concerns, please contact us at hello@jinnystreetgallery.com.
About Jinny Street Gallery:
Jinny is a contemporary gallery made of 42 street lamps of the walker-friendly and cozy area of Jingumae 2-chome in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Jinny Street Gallery tries to promote emerging artists of all styles. For more information on our activities, have a look through our website !