ARTISTS

Ben OGA

A Sky full of stars, and on those stars live humans and animals. There exists the sky above, a ground below, and nature, just like on earth. This is the story told by Ben Oga, of a star in a distant universe. In the afterword to his book of poems and drawings, “The Universe of the Heart” he writes, "People's hearts form an endless universe, and this universe is connected to everything." Although imaginary, what is depicted in his works somehow feel nostalgic. People, the world, we may all be connected, to the endless universe by invisible threads.

BIOGRAPHY

Biography

Born in Matsuyama city, Ehime Prefecture in 1971.
Graduated from Osaka Sogo College of Design, picture book illustration course.
Held a number of solo and group exhibitions inside and outside of Japan.
Won the grand prize at the Message from the Young Artists Show, and the Hakone Open-air Museum prize at the Japanese Nature Painting Exhibition.
Illustrated the cover page of "the Disease of Soseki Natsume and 'Ten Nights’ Dream" by Norihiko Miyoshi, "Thoughts on Modern Folk Tales" by Miyoko Matsutani, and more.
Appeared on the TV programme “Breakzenya ~ Next Generation Artists ~” by BS Fuji Television on January 12th, 2018.
Designed the cover art and illustration for “Unknown Friend” by Marcelo Birmajer, published by Fukuinkan Shoten, 2021.
Published the poetry and art book “Universe of the Heart”, 2024.

Solo Exhibitions

Mizoe Art Gallery (Tokyo) 2020, 2022 / Mizoe Art Gallery (Fukuoka) 2019, 2022, 2024.
Kawata Gallery (Hyogo) 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
Gallery Kawanishi (Ehime) 1999-.
Gallery A BIENTOT (Tokyo) 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023.
Gallery HANA Shimokitazawa (Tokyo) 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023.
Fukui SEIBU (Fukui) 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.
Bunkamura Box Gallery (Tokyo) 2016, 2019, 2021.
Gallery Echo-ann (Tokyo) 2016, 2019, 2023.
Gallery the Earth (Kanagawa) 2018, 2022.
Daimaru Kobe (Hyogo) 2023.
Matsuyama Mitsukoshi (Ehime) 2022, 2023.
Matsuzakaya Ueno (Tokyo) 2024.
PARCO Shinsaibashi (Osaka) 2024.
Zokyudo Gallery (Kyoto) 2009-2011, 2015.
Itsuki Art Gallery (Tokyo) 2013, 2014, 2016.
Seijou Sakurasaku Gallery (Tokyo) 2015, 2017, 2020.
Star Crystal Gallery (Taiwan) 2011.
Shibuya Tokyu Main Store (Tokyo) 2013.
Daimaru Sapporo (Hokkaido) 2014.
Iyotetsu Takashimaya (Ehime) 2017.
Sogo Yokohama (Kanagawa) 2020.
Sendai Mitsukoshi (Miyagi) 2021.
Sudo Museum of Art (Tokyo) 2001, 2002, 2003, etc.