ARTISTS

Kenpei Yunde

A defining characteristic of Kenpei Yunde's work is their powerful presence, despite the soft color palettes and contours. This is created by the numerous layers of paint which are then scraped off and polished, resulting in a unique blur and luster.

A representative series of Yunde's work is the 110 paintings he created over a five-year period on the theme of the Japanese Constitution. During his research in Bhutan, which was inspired by his focus on “happiness as a human being,” he noticed how people cherish the simple connections between human beings. The unpaved roads and puddles, which became an important motif for the work, symbolize the choice to value living with one's family over traveling far to accumulate greater wealth.
Today, he continues to expand on this theme, focusing on the question, “What is happiness for humans?”

The process of creating his works is characterized by the way he starts from the depiction of “soil” and proceeds as if he were cultivating it. After the “soil” is completed, rain, trees, and puddles are painted, carefully capturing a very human happiness that comes from being one with nature.

Kenpei Yunde continues to pursue expressions of happiness. Through his paintings, people are moved, being reminded of the things that everyone has but takes for granted.

BIOGRAPHY

Biography

1970 Born in Kadoma city, Osaka.
1989 Graduated from Nara Prefectural Takada Senior High School.
1993 Received the Honorable Mention Prize at Issuikai Exhibition (won again in 1996 and 1998).
1994 B.F.A from Osaka University of Arts.
1995 Named Best New Talent in Issuikai Exhibition.
1996 M.F.A from Osaka University of Arts.
1997 Awarded the Nichido Art Foundation Prize at the 32nd Showakai Exhibition, Galerie Nichido, Tokyo, Osaka.
2000 Nominated as a member of Issuikai.
2007 Nominated as a committee member of Issuikai.
2009 Awarded the Sompo Japan Fine Art Prize at the 28th Sompo Japan Outstanding Rising Artist Exhibition, Seiji Togo Memorial Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Museum of Art, Tokyo.
2011 Completed 110 paintings for his series: Portraying the Heart of the Japanese Constitution.
2012 Published his art book: Portraying the Heart of the Japanese Constitution.
2013 Awarded the Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts in the 75th Issuikai Memorial Exhibition.
2014 Talk Show on the Constitution: Introducing Portraying the Heart of Japanese Constitution, Ethos Station, Osaka (held 10 times since 2013).
2019 Produced the movie “KAZOKUWARI” and directed the art in the movie.

Lives and works in Nara. Currently a committee member of Issuikai and Kensuikai, a member of Japan Artists Association and Nara Prefectural Artists Association.