In this series, we will introduce young Japanese artists who are currently doing remarkable work.
The first installment is U-ku.
U-ku's background and works
Born in 1989 in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, U-ku began his artistic career in 2016 with his first solo exhibition in Ginza, Tokyo.
He won the Grand Prize at the 3rd Japan Bungei Art Competition, the Encouragement Prize at the 2021 Beauty in the Making Exhibition, the Special Jury Prize at the tagboat-sponsored art fair "Independent2021," and the Second Grand Prize at the ARTE DESIGN VENEZIA "the Wonderland" in Italy.
In 2021, he was selected for an exhibition at WHAT CAFE in Tennozu, Tokyo; selected for "100 People 10" in Ginza, Tokyo; in 2022, a solo exhibition at Tokyu Plaza Shibuya Fukuras; in 2023, a group exhibition at POLA ANNEX, and others.
Based on her childhood experience, she paints abstract paintings on the theme of loneliness.
He uses watercolors as his base, and coincidence is a large part of his work.
In addition, small motifs such as little girls are scattered throughout his paintings in the hope that his viewers will become familiar with abstract paintings.
Love the life you live
W 53.00cm x H 45.50cm / ¥150,000
Leave me alone
W 27.30cm x H 22.00cm / ¥53,636
U-ku's Charm
U-ku has moved around a lot since he was a child, and the theme of his work is the loneliness he felt during his experience of living in the U.S. and after returning to his home country.
After graduating from university, she worked for a foreign-affiliated company, and upon marriage and moving to Tokyo, she worked at an art supply store in Ginza as a framer. Her career as an artist began when she participated in an exhibition project at an affiliated restaurant.
Her paintings are abstract, but she herself initially found it difficult to understand abstract painting.
She then asked herself, as an artist, how she could make people more familiar with and interested in abstract painting, and her answer was to include small motifs in her work.
Although her works are abstract paintings, they are studded with small motifs such as girls and animals. They do not disturb the overall atmosphere of the work, and they play the role of navigators while still being abstract paintings.
The viewer is left to decide what he or she receives from the painting and what emotions the motifs are expressing. What is the emotion of the motif? and "What kind of feelings?" When the viewer stops and looks into the painting, part of U-ku's goal of "making people interested in and familiar with abstract paintings" may have been achieved.
As we repeatedly look at her paintings from a closer perspective and from a bird's eye view, we notice subtle differences in color, blotches, and grazes. Her work is based on watercolors and is largely accidental. She herself believes that she became an artist by a combination of various fortuitous coincidences, and "coincidence" is a key word for her.
Her use of watercolors may be, in a sense, inevitable. She also uses acrylic paint as mixed media, and her works are rich in expression, with glimpses of luster depending on the way the light hits them.
Chasing after each other
W 33.30cm x H 33.30cm / ¥67,273
Prayer
W 45.50cm x H 45.50cm / ¥100,909
Evaluation in the Art Market
The unit price of his works has been steadily increasing, and although he is an independent (non-art university graduate), he has gained popularity for his high sensitivity and expressive power.
His work has also attracted attention as he was in charge of book illustrations for Michiko Aoyama, a novelist who won the second prize of the Honya Taisho (Bookstore Grand Prize) in 2022.
Constantly challenging new techniques, he is an artist whose future is highly anticipated.
Artist Instagram
Artist Twitter
TRiCERA ART members enjoy a variety of benefits and priorities.
- Discounts, including members-only secret sales and coupons
- Create your own collection by registering your favorite artists
- Receive updates on popular artists, exhibitions, and events
- Receive a weekly newsletter with selected art
- Personal Assessment to find out what kind of art you like.
Please register as a member for free and receive the latest information.
Free Member Registration
