ARTISTS /Kunihiro Akinaga
Kunihiro Akinaga (b. 1987) was born in Osaka, Japan. He graduated from the Ceramic Art Course, Department of Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Osaka University of Arts in 2001.
In contemporary society, faced with various issues such as international affairs and environmental changes, Kunihiro Akinaga deeply feels the information overload that makes it difficult to see the truth clearly. At the same time, society is rapidly advancing at an astonishing speed, driven by human desires that fuel scientific progress, making almost anything possible. This rapid development blurs the boundaries between "reality" and "unreality," "human" and "animal," and so on. Contemplating these issues has inspired Kunihiro Akinaga to create hollow ceramic works. His works embody the duality of "permanence" observed in Japan's Jomon pottery, as well as the fragility that can easily crumble under impact. Through this creative approach, he seeks to explore the relationship between humans and nature, and to question the boundaries between reality and illusion.
1987 born in Osaka, Japan
2001 Faculty of Fine Arts, Osaka University of Arts
Solo Exhibitions
2021 Osaka Takashimaya Gallery Next, Osaka
2019 Takashimaya Shinjuku Art Gallery, Tokyo
2018 MIMESIS, Osaka Takashimaya, Osaka
2016 MIMESIS, MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY, Tokyo
2013 Akinaga Kunihiro Exhibition, Kyoto Takashimaya, Kyoto
Black Ceramic Sculptures, Shapes of Plants, GALERIA, Tokyo
2009 Black Ceramic Sculptures, Shapes of Plants, INAX MUSEUMS, Aichi
2007 Gallery Haku, Osaka('03)
2006 Kyoto Takashimaya, Kyoto
2002 Gallery Maronie, Kyoto
Group Exhibitions
2023 Clay’s next chapter, Touch Ceramics, Hong Kong
2021 Real, Yoshiaki Inoue Gallery, Osaka
No Man's Land, The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo
2020 Message: Contemporary Ceramic Collection, The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo
Animals in Ceramic Art Exhibition, Hagi Uragami Museum, Yamaguchi
2019 Desin Miami, USA
Art Kyoto, Nijo Castle, Kyoto
FLOWERS, The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Shiga
2018 13th, Paramita Museum Ceramic Prize Exhibition, Paramita Museum, Mie
Real, Yoshiaki Inoue Gallery, Osaka
13th, Paramita Museum Ceramic Prize Exhibition, Paramita Museum, Mie
Real, Yoshiaki Inoue Gallery, Osaka
2017 Art Osaka, Hotel Granpia Osaka, Osaka
Harada no Mori Gallery Renewal Open Exhibition, Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Hyogo
Form and Essence, AKI GALLERY, Taiwan
2016 TAIWAN Ceramics Biennale, Taiwan
Tradition and Innovation, Contemporary Japanese Ceramic, The Shigaraki
Ceramic Cultural Park, Siga / Frederic Meyer Meijer Gardens, Michigan
2015 Art Taipei, Taiwan (’14)
Young Art Taipei, Taiwan
Contemporary Anthropomorphism, Sinjuku Takashimaya, Tokyo
Premio Faenza, Faenza Italy (‘13)
2014 Phantasm Museum, Takashimaya (multiple locations)
Supernatural, MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY, Tokyo
ART PARIS, France
2013 CABINET DA-END, Gallery DA-END, France
2012 SOFA. NEW YORK, NY
2011 Taro Okamoto Contemporary Art Prize, Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, Kawasaki
30th, Chozansho Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition, Aichi
2008 Ceramic Site 2008, Gallery Haku ('04 - '07)
2007 45th, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, ('01, '02)
2005 Miyazaki International Ceramic Sculpture Exhibition, MIyazaki Airport ('04)
2004 Value of Materials, Motoazabu Gallery, Tokyo, Gallery Haku, Osaka
2003 Hyogo Prefectural Exhibition, Hyogo Prefectural Museum, Hyogo ('01, '02)
Japan Craft Exhibition, Ginza Matsuya, Tokyo
Takaoka Craft Exhibition, Yamato Takaoka, Toyama
Awards
2011 Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art <Selected>
2009 Choza Award <Choza Award>
2001 Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition <Encouragement Award>