《 Erewhon 》Mineral pigments on paper、2,182×3,333mm

Akira Kugimachi was born in 1968 and completed his Master’s degree in Japanese Painting at Tama Art University in 1995. He studied at the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Marseille and received a Master’s degree in Media Art (Art & Technology) from the University of Paris VIII in 1999. After a two-year stay in Paris as a government-sponsored overseas artist by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan, he is currently based in Paris.

Kugimachi's contemporary approach, inspired by photographic expression, seeks to expand the boundaries of painting beyond traditional Japanese painting. His work embraces contemporary art and has evolved into immersive spatial installations. He also actively engages in collaborative projects, such as integrating artworks into architectural spaces and creating natsume (tea caddies) for contemporary tea rooms.

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2024 – From the land of Men, ARTFRONT GALLERY, Tokyo (Ebisu Image Festival 2024)
2022 – Akira Kugimachi Solo Exhibition “New Works”, Isetan Shinjuku Art Gallery, Tokyo
2020 – Elpis, Gallery Pierre-Yves Caër, Paris
2018 – Erewhon, Gallery Art Composition, Tokyo
2017 – Akira Kugimachi Exhibition: Re-generation, Nihombashi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo
2015 – Solo presentation at TOBI Art Fair, Tokyo Art Club, Tokyo
            Eclipse, Art Fair Tokyo 2014, Tokyo
2014 – Air & Snowscape, Kyoto Art Fair 2014, Kyoto
2013 – Snowscape, solo presentation at Art Fair Tokyo 2013, Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo
            Snowscape, Gallery Espace Kyoto, Kyoto
            Snowscape, Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Art Gallery, Tokyo
2012 – Snowscape, solo presentation at Art Fair Tokyo 2012, Tokyo International Forum
            Ichigo Ichie (Once-in-a-lifetime encounter), Shinseido Gallery, Tokyo
2011 – Ligtscape Colors, solo presentation at Art Fair Tokyo 2011, Tokyo International Forum
2009 – Trees + Seascape, solo presentation at TOBI Art Fair 2009, Tokyo Art Club
            Shadows + Lightsape, solo presentation at Art Fair Tokyo 2009, Tokyo
2008 – Light Scape, solo presentation at Art Fair Tokyo 2008, Tokyo
            Lux Aeterna, Takanawa-kai solo exhibition, Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa Guest House
2007 – Seascape, solo presentation at TOBI Art Fair, Tokyo Art Club
            Waves, solo presentation at Art Fair Tokyo 2007
            Solo Exhibition, Fukuoka Elgala
2006 – Light Scape, Shinseido Gallery, Tokyo
            Paysage, Galerie Laurence Bell, France
            Workshop Image / Paysage / Mouvement, École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Marseille
2005 – Interior mural for a private residence, Rue Caire, Paris
2003 – Infinity Waves, Shinseido Gallery, Tokyo
1999 – Dismantling Utopia, Galerie Point Jal, Paris
1995 – Solo Exhibition, Surugadai Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024 – Minami Hida Art Discovery, Gifu
2023 – Dystopia: Transitions of Memory, ARTFRONT GALLERY, Tokyo (Ebisu Image Festival 2023)
            Dialogue de Peintures et Céramiques, Musée Cernuschi, Paris
2022 – Matsumoto Architecture and Art Festival, Nagano
            The Radiance of Contemporary Nihonga, Niimi Art Museum, Okayama
2019 – Art Paris, Pierre-Yves Caër Gallery, Paris
            Art Fair Tokyo 2019, Gallery Art Composition
2018 – Renaissance Contemporaine, Pierre-Yves Caër Gallery, Paris
            Cabinet Da-End 08, Galerie Da-End, Paris
            France Japon, Gallery Dutko Bonaparte, Paris
            Collect, SAATCHI GALLERY, London
2017 – I LOVE TAIWAN, Whitestone Gallery Taipei, Taiwan
            Collection de Galerie, Gallery Dutko Bonaparte, Paris
            L’Aurore de Paysage, VILLA88, Bordeaux
            Collect, SAATCHI GALLERY, London
            Symbiose, Gallery Insighter, Paris
            Sō to Zō 2017, Tokyo Art Club (Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Osaka, Nagoya)
2016 – In Praise of Shadows – The Beauty of Japan, YAMAGIWA TOKYO
            Paysages Subjectifs, Musée Ianchelevici, La Louvière, Belgium
            PAD (Paris Art+Design), Gallery Dutko Bonaparte
            ENCOUNTERS, Galerie Dutko, London
            Sō to Zō 2016, Tokyo Art Club
2015 – Gallery Collection Exhibition, Gallery Dutko Bonaparte, Paris
            Mode Nippone V, special auction at Artcurial, Paris
            DOGNIN – Regards croisés sur le Polochon, Paris
            Ombre et lumière, Gallery Dutko Bonaparte, Paris
            Art Elysées 2015, special invitation, Paris
2013 – Contemporary Ink Painting Exhibition, The National Art Center, Tokyo
2012 – À force de regarder au lieu de voir, Galerie des Grands Bains de la Plaine, Marseille
2011 – Tragique du Paysage, Galerie Eric Mircher, Paris
            ARTISTES SOLIDAIRES AVEC LE JAPON, Le Pivot, Paris
            Chiheisenkai – Artists Endorsed by Hiroshi Senju, Yamakataya Cultural Hall, Kagoshima
2010 – Shinpu-kai, Shinseido Gallery, Tokyo
2009 – Exhibition, Promo-Arte Gallery / Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building / Takeo Sample Bookstore / Kyoto Art Gallery Fair
            Ginga no Kai III, Taigado Gallery, Kyoto
            Ceux qui ont choisi Paris, Galerie Orenda, Paris
2008 – Yakai at Ginza Galleries, Yamashita Gallery, Tokyo
2007 – Art Shanghai 2007, Shanghai World Trade Mall
            Chicago Red Art Fair AF2007, Lorado Taft Studio Midway, Chicago
2006 – Kyoto Art Gallery Fair 2006, Kyoto
2002 – Horizont 21, Gallery Shiraishi, Tokyo
2001 – Horizont 21, Gallery Shiraishi, Tokyo
1998 – Atelier Portes Ouvertes de Belleville, Paris
1996 – Escale, Galerie des Beaux-Arts de Marseille
1994 – Ueno Royal Museum Grand Prize Exhibition, Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo
            Jiku Exhibition, Surugadai Gallery, Tokyo
1993 – Takifuji Art Award Exhibition, Tokyo Wall Gallery, Tokyo