Kaoru Ueda

Ueda Kaoru (1928–) is known for his hyper-realistic work depicting familiar objects such as raw eggs and jelly. This exhibition introduces work from his early career through to now, displaying his pursuit of an ultimate reality in his own style.

Ueda was born in Tokyo in 1928 and after graduating from the University of the Arts, Tokyo in 1954,began his career as an abstract artist. He went on to become a successful graphic designer before returning to painting in the 1960s. In the 1970s he established a unique photographic-style expression, painting his subjects to the finest detail based on photographs, with a depth of reality that draws in the audience, whether young or old. His technique of depicting subjects based on the captured instants of photographic images offers a new perspective, even in the contemporary world when information technology has progressed and photographic and film expression continue to evolve, and captures the eyes of the audience.

This exhibition features not only the oil paintings that enlarge his motifs in hyper-realistic form, but also sketches from his university days and early abstract paintings. His latest work, painted this year, will also be displayed, allowing you to feel Ueda’s endless will to explore and the challenges that he takes on to paint in various modes of expression while pivoting from hyper-realism. We hope that you enjoy the world of Ueda Kaoru, the capture of a vivid moment.