About

Shinichi Kaneko



Inspired by the limbs of ukiyo-e shunga, Shinichi Kaneko metaphorically expresses the world through the theme of "relationships," depicting the connections of limbs. He explores various techniques including sculpture, painting, and drawing.

His major exhibitions include solo exhibitions at Gallery Miyasaka (since 2005), the Former Kondo Residence, a nationally registered tangible cultural property (2013), Yufuin Art Hall (2011), and Daikanyama Tsutaya Books (2022), as well as numerous group exhibitions. He has participated in events such as the 3331 Art Fair (2021), Art Fair Tokyo (2016), and the sculpture exhibition "Fresh air" in the UK (2013). Since June 2018, his drawings have been featured in advertisements for iichiko (shochu) in magazines.

            CV

Shinichi Kaneko
Contemporary Artist Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1974.
Currently resides in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Education
2001: Completed Master's Program in Design at Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School of Fine Arts
1999: Bachelor's Degree in Design from Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Fine Arts

Teaching Experience
2001–2015: Part-time Lecturer in the Department of Design at Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Fine Arts

Solo Exhibitions
2023: "Imitate the Cat, Welcome the Cat: Cats from Shunga and Maneki-neko of Shin-Yoshiwara" at Okano Yayoi Shoten (Nishi-Asakusa, Tokyo)
2023: "Entangled to Catch the Untying" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2022: "Teashi Meguri - Shunga Shaped Hieroglyphs" at Daikanyama Tsutaya (Daikanyama, Tokyo)
2022: "Shinichi Kaneko Exhibition (Gallery Miyasaka Project)" at Galerie Chêne Tokyo (Ginza, Tokyo)
2021: "Mura GUJOsei" at CREATIVE SPACE HAYASHI / 3331 ART FAIR (Chiyoda, Tokyo)
2020: "Human Patterns" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2019: "the Couple Vol.5 - Dance of Entanglement" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2018: "10-second Play - Drawing Exhibition" at Akane Lounge (Higashi-Nihonbashi, Tokyo)
2017: "the Couple Vol.4 - The Body Disappears, the Heart Rings" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2017: "the Couple Vol.3" at Okano Miyoshi Shoten × Kastorishobo (Nishi-Asakusa / Senzoku, Tokyo)
2016: "Tour of the Adult Country 2016" at CREATIVE SPACE HAYASHI / Art Fair Tokyo 2016 (Tokyo)
2016: "the Couple Vol.2 - Connection" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2014: "the Couple Vol.1 - The Mixed People" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2014: "Forest of the Brain" at CREATIVE SPACE HAYASHI (Chigasaki, Kanagawa)
2013: "Floating Body" at Former Kondo Residence, Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)
2012: "Teleport" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2011: "The Most Attractive World Memories Before Being Given Names and Meanings" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2011: "What Can Be Seen in the Blink of an Eye" at JR Yufuin Station Art Hall Exhibition (Yufu, Oita)
2010: "What Can Be Seen in the Blink of an Eye" at Gallery KINGYO (Yanaka, Tokyo)
2009: "The Residents Inside Me" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2008: "Animals and the Metaphor" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2006: "Shinichi Kaneko Exhibition" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2005: "Shinichi Kaneko Exhibition" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2004: "Shinichi Kaneko Exhibition" at ICHY'S GALLERY (Aoyama, Tokyo)

Group Exhibitions
2023: "East Asia Cultural City - China-Japan-Korea Sculpture Invitational Exhibition" at Qingdao Sculpture Museum (Qingdao, Shandong, China) and Weifang Art Museum (Weifang, Shandong, China)
2023: "Small Works 2023" at Galerie Chêne Tokyo (Ginza, Tokyo)
2013: "The 8th Katachi Exhibition" at Tokyo University of the Arts Ikeda Laboratory, in conjunction with the retirement exhibition of Masaharu Ikeda (Ueno, Tokyo)
2012: "Mitsukoshi × Tokyo University of the Arts Summer Arts Festival 2012 - Next-generation Young Artists Exhibition" at Mitsukoshi (Ginza, Tokyo)
2011: "Mitsukoshi × Tokyo University of the Arts Summer Arts Festival 2011 - Next-generation Young Artists Exhibition" at Mitsukoshi (Ginza, Tokyo)
2011: "SHOWCASE SHOW" at MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY Showcase (Ginza, Tokyo)
2008: "DAIYA RING" at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2007: "Leif.designpark 2nd Exhibition" (Creating sculptures and fixtures) at Tokyo Design Center (Higashi-Gotanda, Tokyo)
2007: "Milano Salone Satellite, Leif.designpark" (Creating sculptures and fixtures) (Italy)
2005: "Shinichi Kaneko / Shinji Hongo Our Room Exhibition" at ICHY'S GALLERY (Aoyama, Tokyo)
2000: "Small Sculpture Exhibition" at Nihon Tochi Center Kaikan Midori-dori Gallery (Hirakawacho, Tokyo)
2000–2005: "Katachi Exhibition" at Tokyo University of the Arts Ikeda Laboratory (Ueno, Tokyo)

Art Fairs
2021: "3331 ART FAIR" with CREATIVE SPACE HAYASHI and 3331 Arts Chiyoda (Chiyoda, Tokyo)
2016: "Art Fair Tokyo 2016" with CREATIVE SPACE HAYASHI at Tokyo International Forum (Tokyo)
2013: "Fresh Air 2013" at the Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition Biennale (United Kingdom)

Public Collections
2022: NPO Oritomari Popo Art Gallery (Oritomari Town, Hokkaido) - Work: "Statue of Reunion"

Articles/Interviews
2020: ANAGRA Interview (https://www.a-n-d-now.tokyo/kaneko)

Awards
2018 Award of Excellence, 9th Haruhi Painting Triennale
2005 Selected, 2nd Concrete Art Museum Exhibition

Others
Since June 2018, my drawings have been featured in advertisements for iichiko (shochu).


(Reference Material: Limbs in Shunga)


Statement

"I am more interested in the 'relationships' that create the reality in front of us than the reality itself. It's about connecting everything and the invisible interplay that transforms them all. At some point, it began to squirm before me, taking the form of a beautiful yet complex 'entanglement.' The shifting entities seemed to embark on a 'dance of entanglement.'"


The theme of my work focuses on the invisible "relationships" that continuously shape the world. Drawing inspiration from the limbs in ukiyo-e Shunga prints, I quote them to visualize these "relationships." It all started in 2013 when I encountered a book of ukiyo-e Shunga prints. At that time, I was already exploring the theme of "relationships," so it was a profound experience for me. Strangely, everything else in the Shunga prints disappeared from my sight, leaving only the intertwined limbs emphasized in my mind. This chance encounter led to a strange experience that manifested the image of the "relationships" I had been seeking. From this experience, I began incorporating the limbs from Shunga prints as a metaphor for "relationships" in my artwork, exploring expression through them.


The intertwining of limbs in Shunga prints is considered one of their distinctive features. While Shunga prints are known for exaggerated genitals, vibrant colors, and shocking depictions, the portrayal of limbs is equally remarkable. The entangled bodies of men and women are expressed through limbs like tangled threads. This intersection of limbs resonated with my concept of "relationships."


For nearly a decade since 2013, I have been studying the limbs in Shunga prints, particularly focusing on their depiction, and incorporating them into my own expression. Through my artwork, I aim to metaphorically represent the structure of this world, incorporating the limbs from Shunga prints to achieve that. This world is constructed by the intersection and interaction of invisible phenomena. This infinite and intricately entangled web constitutes "relationships," with limbs functioning as their metaphor. The intertwining of limbs forms the web, ultimately becoming a metaphor for the world.


© KANEKO SHINICHI