I am interested in the high efficiency of human cognitive function and the various errors that arise alongside it, and I create works that explore these phenomena as their central theme. In my recent practice, I have focused in particular on the uncertainty of episodic memory, which is based on personal experiences that form the core of our identity, and I investigate its nature as something that is continuously and unconsciously transformed by external stimuli.

As cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Loftus has pointed out, “memory of the past is fiction.” Our memory is not a perfect recording device, but rather a fluid construct that is constantly reconstructed through dialogue with others and fragmentary information from the media. It is even said that events we have never actually experienced may be unconsciously generated. These phenomena, commonly referred to as “misunderstandings” or “false recollections,” are defined in cognitive psychology as false memories, and it is believed that small-scale false memories are generated in everyday life on a regular basis.

My creative process begins from these characteristics of memory. Using everyday landscape photographs provided by collaborators, alongside similar photographs of my own, I share and discuss the episodes associated with each image through repeated dialogue. This act of sharing ordinary photographs that anyone might have taken, and engaging in conversation about related events, simulates conditions in which false memories are likely to occur. It is a collaborative process in which new images are constructed through the sharing of each other’s memories and experiences. The transformation of memory that emerges through this process forms the first layer of the work.

In the next layer, I create paintings based on three elements: the two photographs, the content of the dialogue, and the collaboratively generated false memories.


Biography

1988
Born in Osaka, Japan

2013
BFA in Japanese Painting, Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Arts, Hiroshima City University

2015
25th Scholarship Recipient, Sato International Cultural Scholarship Foundation

2018
Completed coursework for PhD, Doctoral Program, Department of Integrated Arts, Graduate School of Arts, Hiroshima City University

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Solo Exhibitions

2024
Reconstructed / Regenerated Episodes, LE METTE GALLERY, Hiroshima

2022
Everyday Scenes, Cafe and Gallery Kane-ya - K gallery, Shimane
Dining Room, Lapis Gallery, Hiroshima
False Memory of a House, GALLERY RYO, Tokyo

2020
Encoded Scenery, Lapis Gallery, Hiroshima

2019
Perspective for the New Generation 2019: Takafumi Oba, Gallery Natsuka, Tokyo

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Group Exhibitions

2024
ACT (Artists Contemporary TOKAS) Vol. 6: Menisuru, Tokyo Arts and Space Hongo, Tokyo

2023
Art Lounge Project #2, LE METTE Adeline, Okayama

2022
Perceived Landscapes, Cafe and Gallery Kane-ya, Shimane
WHAT CAFE EXHIBITION - MA -, WHAT CAFE, Tokyo
“re”, biscuit gallery group exhibition, biscuit gallery, Tokyo
Special G Selection: New Year Nihonga Exhibition, Gallery G, Hiroshima

2021
The 48th SOGA Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo
The 21st Geibikai Exhibition, Fukuya Hatchobori Main Store, Hiroshima
Art Fair Asia Fukuoka 2021, Hakata Hankyu, Fukuoka
Hiroshima City University Nihonga Laboratory Exhibition, Yachiyo no Oka Museum of Art, Hiroshima
WHAT is Art?, WHAT CAFE, Tokyo
Ichida no Kai, Gallery Wada, Tokyo
The 47th Tokyo Spring SOGA Exhibition, Seibu Gallery, Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store, Tokyo
Special G Selection: New Year Nihonga Exhibition, Gallery G, Hiroshima

2020
Rich Seasons III, Orie Art Gallery, Tokyo
The 47th SOGA Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo / Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Kyoto
The 20th Geibikai Exhibition, Fukuya Hatchobori Main Store, Hiroshima
New Horizons 2020, Var West Gallery, USA
The 46th Tokyo Spring SOGA Exhibition, Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store, Tokyo
The 73rd Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Exhibition, Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum, Yamaguchi
Special G Selection: New Year Nihonga Exhibition, Gallery G, Hiroshima

2019
The 45th Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program, MC FOREST, Tokyo
Selected Nihonga Exhibition, Hiroshima City University, Yachiyo no Oka Museum of Art, Hiroshima
View’s view: Takafumi Oba, Haruo Kawana, Aiko Watanabe, Gallery Natsuka, Tokyo
The 46th SOGA Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo / Nichizu Design Museum, Kyoto
Art Fair Asia Fukuoka 2019, Hotel Okura Fukuoka, Fukuoka
The 19th Geibikai Exhibition, Fukuya Hatchobori Main Store, Hiroshima
The 45th Tokyo Spring SOGA Exhibition, Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store, Tokyo
Audi Yamaguchi Showroom, Yamaguchi
The 72nd Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Exhibition, Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum, Yamaguchi
Art Promenade, Senri Asahi Hankyu Building, Osaka

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Collections

THE OSAKA STATION HOTEL
Hiroshima Shinkin Bank
Reiyukai
Imago Mundi Project (Gallerie delle Prigioni)
Takayama City
Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital and Atomic-bomb Survivors Hospital

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Awards

2023
Hiroshima Culture Newcomer Award

2019
Hiroshima Shinkin Bank Nihonga Encouragement Award
The 72nd Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Exhibition, Excellence Award

2018
The 44th Tokyo Spring SOGA Exhibition, Spring Exhibition Award

2017
The 44th SOGA Exhibition, Encouragement Award
The 17th Geibikai Exhibition, Geibikai Award

2016
FINE ART / UNIVERSITY SELECTION 2016–2017, Excellence Award
Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center Art Award Exhibition, Encouragement Award

2015
The 26th Garyuzakura Nihonga Grand Prize Exhibition, Grand Prize
Hiroshima City University Graduation Exhibition, Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital Award