Kunihiko NOHARA

Kunihiko NOHARA is a national star within the Japanese contemporary art scene. In 2007, he completed his studies in the Sculpture Department at the Graduate School of Art, Hiroshima City University. The artist's commitment to innovation is evident in his exploration of different mediums. In contrast to the flatness of lines and color surfaces commonly seen in manga and other mediums, his sculptures, carved from wood, reveal traces of the carving process.

NOHARA’s works have been spotlighted in 20+ Japanese Art Fairs since 2010, collected by the Hiroshima City Art Museum and displayed in national galleries. Nohara's influence extends far beyond national borders, as evidenced by his extensive exhibition history spanning major art hubs worldwide. From Tokyo to Taipei, New York to Jakarta, his works have left a deep mark on the global art scene. 

His much anticipated success within the artworld is due to his unique theme and vision for art: “The moment I feel independent from my surroundings, I sometimes feel like I'm in a slightly different time and space.” (Kunihiko NOHARA)

NOHARA is born into a culture and age of ‘information explosion’ - too many ‘new’ things result in rapid overdevelopment, shocking individual psychology and public spheres. Born in rural Japan amid the information explosion, this artist defies the norm. His unique works reflect an escapist mindset, using cute and humorous aesthetics to convey the creator's sense of helplessness in the face of society's larger frame. There is an underlying tone that explores the passage of time and the impermanence of the human figure, yet such a deeper theme is concealed from the public eye through the cute and joyous appearances of his sculptures. As such, his works convey a new wave of existential ethos most commonly found in the Japanese contemporary aesthetic, as an artist revolts against the power of the uncontrollably developing world.

Biography

1982  Born in Hokkaido

2007  Graduated from the Faculty of Arts, Hiroshima City University

Selected Exhibitions

2024

“Quartet” – Blanc CUBE, Matsuzakaya Shizuoka Department Store, Shizuoka

“ever-changing” – Artglorieux GALLERY OF TOKYO, Tokyo

“UG [OSAKAN] vol.2” – gallery UG Osaka Umeda, Osaka

“UG [TOKYOITE] vol.1” – gallery UG, Tokyo

“UG [OSAKAN] vol.1” – gallery UG Osaka Umeda, Osaka

“Japanese Contemporary Art Exhibition – gallery UG × CONTEMPO” – Sands Gallery, Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Macao

2023

Solo Exhibition “Floating moment” – The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

Solo Exhibition “KIROKU (Journal on Wood)” – gallery UG, Tokyo

“Mother × gallery UG ART Exhibition” – Mother New York, New York

Contemporary Arts Exhibition – DAIMARU Department Store Tenjin, Fukuoka

“Drawing Chase – Kunihiko NOHARA・Takaoki TAJIMA” – Daimaru Department Store Sapporo, Hokkaido

“WOOD SCULPTURE” – gallery UG, Tokyo

“UG FREAKS” – gallery UG, Tokyo

“ART CUBE TOKYO - Toward 0310” – Daimaru Department Store Tokyo, Tokyo

2022

“Hankyu Department Store × ART collectors' New Stars Art Exhibition” – Hankyu Department Store Umeda Main Branch, Osaka

Solo Exhibition “hitotoki (A Moment)” – gallery UG, Tokyo

Fairs

Art Vancouver, Art Fair Tokyo, Study：Osaka Kansai International Art Festival vol.3,  ART TAIPEI, art KYOTO, ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA, ONE ART Taipei, art stage OSAKA,  TIAF Tamra International Art Fair, VOLTA Basel, VOLTA New York, Art Expo Malaysia Plus, Infinity Japan Contemporary Art Show, ART FORMOSA, Art Jakarta, Art Stage Singapore, 6075 Macau Hotel Art Fair,  Young Art Taipei, Art Apart Fair, Bank Art Fair, Asia Top Gallery Hotel Art Fair Hong Kong

Artworks in Collection

Hiroshima City University Art Museum (Hiroshima), STORK Reproductive Medicine Center (Taiwan), Huai Hai Street (Suzhou New District, China), SAKIA (Awaji Island, Hyogo), HANA-KITCHO (Kyoto)