Born in 1996 in Kyoto, Japan, Yujiro Ueno earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, majoring in oil painting at Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts in 2019. He then obtained a Master's degree in Fine Arts, majoring in art theory at Tokyo University of the Arts in 2021. Yujiro has received several accolades, including the Sogyo Prize at the 69th Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation Works Exhibition, the TURNER AWARD in 2019 and 2020, and the Young Creators Award 2020 (MI Gallery Prize). In 2024, he held a solo exhibition titled “Transformed Legacy” at Kyoto Tsutaya Books Exhibition Space.
Empowering creativity
"In contrast to the Western art's significant concern with how to express existence, in the East, there has been a longstanding belief that matter and spirit are inseparable, giving rise to the idea of 'ki' (internal energy) where everything is considered fluid and mutually influential. I primarily focus on creatures, both real and imaginary, as motifs in my expression. The main themes revolve around the 'ki' they possess, their interactions with the external world, and delving into the flow of material and spiritual aspects in a more conceptual sense.
"The concept of 'ki' is closely tied to the philosophy of explaining the elements of the world through yin and yang. In my works, I incorporate contrasting concepts such as yin and yang, East and West, past and present, concrete and abstract, existence and non-existence. To express these ideas, I focus on the brushstroke as a means to liberate my own senses, employing a technique of layering them in a multifaceted manner.
"I refer to the tradition of Eastern painting, which captures the vitality of the subject through brushstrokes. While referencing the context of Western painting in terms of materials and techniques. My intention is to present a contemporary expression that inherits history and culture, merging both traditions into a new form."
Awards
- 2023: The work “Vortex -Two Dragons-” was donated to Macao Museum of Art / Macao
- 2021: 69th Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation Works Exhibition (Sogyo Prize)
- 2020:
- 2019:
- 2018:
- 2017:
Solo Exhibitions
- 2024 Yujiro Ueno solo exhibition “Transformed Legacy” Kyoto Tsutaya Books Exhibition Space /Kyoto
- 2023 Yujiro Ueno solo exhibition “Evoke the Invisibles” Nihombashi Mitsukoshi /Tokyo
- 2023 ART MACAO 2023 An Experience in Connection "Synergistic Rhythm" Tap Seac Gallery /Macao
- 2023 Yujiro Ueno solo exhibition “Clash of Two Spirits” Ginza Tsutaya Books ATRIUM /Tokyo
- 2022 Yujiro Ueno Solo Exhibition-New Scope of Paintings SHIKISAISHA GALLERY /Tokyo
- 2022 Yujiro Ueno Solo Exhibition Nihombashi Mitsukoshi/ Tokyo
- 2021 Yujiro Ueno Solo Exhibition-Surge, Ginza Tsutaya Books Tokyo /Tokyo
- 2021 Yujiro Ueno Solo Exhibition, Frederick Harris Gallery Tokyo American Club/Tokyo
- 2018 Yujiro Ueno Solo Exhibition, exhibition room Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts/Okinawa
Selected Group exhibitions & Art Fairs
2024
- Beijing Dangdai Art Fair 2024/Beijing
- ART ONO Fair 2024/Seoul
2023
- ART021 SHANGHAI CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR 2023/Shanghai
- ART TAIPEI 2023 /Taipei
- Affordable Art Fair 2023/Shanghai
2022
- ART TAICHUNG 2022 /Taichung
- ONE ART TAIPEI 2022 /Taipei
- Yujiro Ueno, suma group exhibitions-Resonance, ECLECTIC CAFÉ ERIC ROSE /Tokyo
2021
- 60th MINION Exhibition, Galerie Nichido Art /Tokyo
- Shinkaron Exhibition, Gallery Ishikawa /Tokyo
- Owls 2021 Exhibition SHIKISAISHA GALLERY /Tokyo
2020
- 59th MINION Exhibition, Galerie Nichido Art /Tokyo
- LIFE FORM Exhibition, GALLERY ART POINT /Tokyo
- GALLERY ART POINT group exhibition, GALLERY ART POINT /Tokyo
- ART colours Vol. 32 Spring Exhibition, Spring has come- THE Royal Park ICONIC /Tokyo
- 3331 Art Fair 2020/3331 Arts Chiyoda /Tokyo
2019
- ART GAIA Modern Art Exhibition, ART FACTORY Jonanjima Gallery /Tokyo
- 58th MINION Exhibition, Galerie Nichido Art /Tokyo
- Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Faculty of Arts and Crafts, Graduate School Formative Arts 30th Graduation Exhibition, Okinawa Prefectural Art Museum /Okinawa
- DISCOVER THE ONE JAPANESE ART in PARIS Awarded Artist Exhibition, Tanaka Yaesu Garou /Paris
Others
- 2019/2020
GEIDAI ARTS in Marunouchi 2019/2020 Auction art work display
Master Dissertation
“Production and Discussion of my art work” Tokyo University of the Arts
Public Collection
Macao Museum of Art / Macao