Born in 1970 in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Chiharu Nishizawa graduated from the Department of Fine Arts (Art and Design) of Tokyo Zokei University in 1993, and completed Post-Graduate Course in Printing in 1995. Nishizawa continued to work in the medium of printing, but moved to painting as he felt it was quicker at giving form to his thoughts. In 2004 he won an award at VOCA. His work is known for its detailed, model-like depiction of crowds of people wearing suits or aprons against flat, unreal backgrounds, and became critically acclaimed for its combined expression of unease towards society with its dark humor. His works have been shown in solo exhibitions "Project N" (2003, Tokyo); "Happy Garden" (2005, Tokyo); "Enjoy Car Life" (2006, Hong Kong); "Dream House" (2006, Seoul ); "For Beautiful Human Life" (2007, Tokyo ); and group shows in "Play not play" (2003, Beijing); "The Vision of Contemporary Art 2004" (2004, Tokyo); "Joy of Spring Light" (2006, Tokyo); "Zokei Contemporary Artists" (2007, Tokyo); "Art Lan@Asia? New Asian Contemporary Art!" (2007, Tokyo); "Thermocline of Art? New Asian Waves" (2007, Germany).