HIDDEN CHAMPIONS OF TOKYO

Hideyuki Katsumata

Born in Tokyo, Hideyuki is a playful artist with a broad definition of what it means to be "Japanese." Standing at the opposite end of intelligence, he brings his whimsical character "HANAUTAH" to life in his works. His art captures a unique world view, often translating into comical and bizarre paintings. He also delves into modern erotic art, depicting exaggerated genitalia and intimate acts. He's deeply passionate, often to the point of tears, and is generally considered to be in a perpetual state of adolescent angst.

ARTWORK

KABEKUI

A "two-dimensional semi-creature" that thrives mainly in Tokyo, KABEKUI oscillates between the flat and three-dimensional worlds. He interprets the pulsating life force as the will to overcome the walls that stand before him, all while grappling with the contradictions that define our world. His art captures the intertwined and complex "unsolvable entities." He's everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

ARTWORK

Keeenue

Keeenue Born in 1992 in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Keeenue began with mural creations and has since expanded to painting and three-dimensional works. Her vivid and unique style, which blurs the lines between the abstract and the concrete, has garnered widespread acclaim. She has showcased her work in various countries, including the USA, Taiwan, and the UK. Collaborations with brands like Nike, Facebook, and SHAKE SHACK have further heightened her profile.

ARTWORK

MOTAS.

An art duo formed in 2012 by BOYA and TOMO, MOTAS. is known for their warm and whimsical stories that transcend time and place. Recently, they've expanded their creative scope by incorporating characters like the bent middle finger "BLEYE" and the three small figures "OOOS" made up of red, blue, and yellow. These characters symbolize the idea of "facing tomorrow no matter the circumstances and carrying on with life's burdens."

ARTWORK

Ryuji Kamiyama

Born in Tokyo in 1972, Ryuji began his graphic design career in the early '90s. He founded the apparel brand "FAMOUZ" and operated out of Ura-Harajuku for a decade. He later transitioned to showcasing his painting works in street and public spaces. Since his first solo exhibition in 2003, he has held shows in San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Shanghai, and more. Ryuji continues to produce unique, unrestricted, and humor-filled works that he shares with the world.

ARTWORK

SAND NAOKI

Born in 1979 and based in Tokyo, SAND NAOKI began his career as a graphic artist. Around 2008, he shifted his focus to painting and has since been an active member of the artist collective "81 BASTARDS," contributing to numerous mural projects. His works, which express various motifs in a pop style, have been showcased in numerous group shows both domestically and internationally. He also heads the graphic label "SAYHELLO."

ARTWORK

T9G (TAKUJI)

T9G is a Japanese artist renowned for his expertise in soft vinyl creations, sculptures, and paintings. He has a knack for crafting deeply evocative characters, with "RANGEAS" standing out as a signature figure. Over the years, he has consistently reinvented this character, earning him immense acclaim. Since embarking on his journey with soft vinyl in 2003, T9G pivoted towards contemporary art. While sculpture remains central to his work, he also produces oil paintings that echo his personal history.

ARTWORK

Yohta Matsuoka

Starting in 2004 under the pseudonym JONJON GREEN, Yohta began creating murals. He has crafted numerous large-scale works with dynamic and highly original abstract expressions both in Japan and abroad. In 2021, he introduced a new series of still-life paintings, placing simple objects like spheres and sticks on monochrome backgrounds. Through these works, he contemplates the humorous relationships between objects, which are often a result of coincidental interactions.

EXHIBITION INFO