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Shinichi Kaneko
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Design (1999).
M.F.A. in Design, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (2001).
Shinichi Kaneko explores the theme of “interconnectedness” by metaphorically depicting the connected limbs found in Ukiyo-e Shunga (erotic woodblock prints). His works are created through a variety of media, including sculpture, painting, and drawing.
Major solo exhibitions include those at Gallery Miyasaka (2005–2024), Daikanyama Tsutaya (2022), the former Kondo Residence (2013), and Yufuin Art Hall (2011), all of which are registered national tangible cultural properties. He has also participated in exhibitions such as MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL (2024), East Asia Culture City – China-Japan-Korea Sculpture Invitational Exhibition (2023), 3331 Art Fair (2021), Art Fair Tokyo (2016), and the “Fresh air” Sculpture Exhibition in the UK (2013). Since 2018, his drawings have been featured in the monthly advertisements for iichiko (shochu).
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
2025: "INTERCONNECTED VIEW"at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
2025: "YumeUtsutsu"at UltraSuperNew KURA (Shibuya, Tokyo)
2024: "Expressive Distance" at ENTRANCE(Mitaka, Tokyo)
2024: "「と」-WITH- Relationship"at Gallery Miyasaka (Ginza, Tokyo)
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
2025: "Weaving Scenery with Harmony" at WALL_alternative (Nishiazabu, Tokyo)
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
2024: "MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL 2024「NEW ERA」"(Tennoz, Tokyo)
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 'interconnectedness' that brings forth the reality before us than in reality itself. My work explores the unseen forces that bind everything together, shaping and transforming them in an intricate interplay. At some point, this interplay began to writhe before me, manifesting as a complex yet beautiful 'entanglement.' The shifting entities seemed to engage in a 'dance of interwoven existence.' "
The theme of my work revolves around the invisible 'interconnectedness' that continuously shapes the world. Drawing inspiration from the limbs in ukiyo-e Shunga prints, I incorporate them into my work as a means of visualizing this interconnectedness. My journey began in 2013 when I encountered a book of ukiyo-e Shunga prints. At that time, I was already exploring the theme of interconnectedness, making this encounter particularly profound. Strangely, everything else in the prints faded from my perception, leaving only the entwined limbs, which became the focal point of my vision. This unexpected experience provided a tangible image of the interconnectedness I had been seeking. From that moment, I began incorporating limbs from Shunga prints as a metaphor for interconnectedness, using them to deepen my exploration of this concept.
The entangled limbs in Shunga prints are among their most distinctive features. While these prints are often recognized for their exaggerated genitals, vibrant colors, and provocative compositions, the depiction of limbs is equally compelling. The entwined bodies of men and women are expressed through limbs woven together like tangled threads, a visual that resonated deeply with my concept of interconnectedness.
For over a decade since 2013, I have studied the portrayal of limbs in Shunga prints, integrating them into my artistic expression. Through my work, I strive to metaphorically represent the structure of existence itself. The world is shaped by the ceaseless intersection and interaction of unseen forces. This infinite and intricately entangled web embodies interconnectedness, with limbs serving as a metaphor for its structure. The intertwining of limbs forms this web, ultimately becoming a metaphor for the world itself.
© KANEKO SHINICHI
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