Akira YOSHIDA

Statement

Akira YOSHIDA (born 1976, Kanagawa, Japan) graduated from Tama Art University with a Bachelor in Fine Art in 2002. He is renowned to make sculptures with fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) painted over by airbrush.His painting skill by using airbrush is so exquisite and precise that it looks as if the patterns have been printed on the sculpture. His works are visually "kawaii"- pretty and cute ,and follow pop aesthetics standards. However, the themes of his works ironically resolve around problems of contemporary society. This significant contradiction of the appearance and concept gives YOSHIDA's works unique and charming quality. He was commissioned by MTR, the biggest railway company in Hong Kong to create public art works for the City One Station (第一城), and by Nishi Ginza Chance Center, the most popular lottery stand in Japan to create a public art work in a form of Japanese traditional welcoming cat ‘MANEKINEKO’. ⇒ Yoshida's blog

Works

''Inu Hariko TOKYO IS YOURS'', 2022, FRP based sculpture

''IInu Hariko Futurizm '', 2019, FRP based sculpture

''渋谷猫張り子 Shibuya NekoHariko'', 2020, FRP based sculpture 吉田朗

''Inu Hariko Occupied Tokyo'', 2019, FRP based sculpture

''Inu Hariko JPNSDF Pink'', 2019, FRP based sculpture

展示風景 / installation view , photo: Nariaki Maruko

''rodeo bang'', 2018, FRP based sculpture, photo: Nariaki Maruko

''rodeo bang'', 2018, FRP based sculpture

''kuma composition'', 2018, FRP based sculpture, photo: Nariaki Maruko

''kuma composition'', 2018, FRP based sculpture

''kuma slider'', 2018, FRP based sculpture

''Inu Hariko pooch & osprey'', 2018, FRP based sculpture

''Inu Hariko U.S. Forces Japan Desert camouflage'', 2018, Aluminum casting based sculpture

'' MELT DARUMA 　color : osprey×andoromeda2 '', 2017, FRP based sculpture

''MELT DARUMA 　color : osprey×silver pearl'', 2017, FRP based sculpture

「えび子供」/ ''Prawn child'', 2016, FRP based sculpture

''Carp Bomb'', 2016, FRP based sculpture

展示風景 ''Carp Bomb'' / installation view ''Carp Bomb'', 2016, FRP based sculpture

''MELT DARUMA & DARUMA - basket case -'', 2015, FRP based sculpture

''DARUMA - basket case -'', 2015, FRP based sculpture

''MELT DARUMA '', 2015, FRP based sculpture

''DARUMA - basket case -'', 2013, FRP based sculpture

''MELT DARUMA 　color : chocolate×gold '', 2015, FRP based sculpture

「犬張り子 [ Occupied Japan ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ Occupied Japan ]'', 2012, FRP based sculpture

「犬張り子 [ Atomic Cloud ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ Occupied Japan ]'', 2011, FRP based sculpture

「犬張り子 [ Atomic Cloud ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ Atomic Cloud ]'', 2011, FRP based sculpture

「犬張り子 [ 登鯉舞龍 ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ Carp and Doragon ]'', 2011, Aluminium based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ角犬 [ LEVEL SEVEN ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Square dog [ LEVEL SEVEN ]'', 2011, Wood based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ角犬 [ 祈り ] [ 爆弾 ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Square dog [ Prayer ] [ Bombs ]'', 2010, Wood based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ角犬 [ 祈り ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Square dog [ Prayer ]'', 2010, Wood based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ角犬 [ 爆弾 ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Square dog [ Bombs ]'', 2010, Wood based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ角犬 [ 天使 ] [ 爆弾 ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Square dog [ Angel ] [ Bombs ]'', 2010, Wood based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ角犬 [ 天使 ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Square dog [ Angel ]'', 2010, Wood based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ角犬 [ F-15 Eagle ] [ 折り鶴 ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Square dog [ F-15 Eagle ] [ Orizuru ]'', 2009, Wood based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ角犬 [ 折り鶴 ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Square dog [ Orizuru ]'', 2009, Wood based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ角犬 [ F-15 Eagle ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Square dog [ F-15 Eagle ]'', 2009, Wood based sculpture

「宝猫」/ '''TAKARANEKO -a treasure cat-'', 2010, FRP based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ木馬 [ 戦争と平和 ]」/ ''Education in good taste series Rocking horse [ War and Peace ]'', 2009, FRP based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ　ボトムレスオマル」/ ''Education in good taste series Bottomless　Omaru'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

「情操教育シリーズ鳥手榴弾」/ ''Education in good taste series Bird grenade'', 2009, wood based sculpture

「ボサツ Z」/ ''BODHISATTVA Z'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

「ボサツ X・Z」/ ''BODHISATTVA X・Z'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

「ホトケ X」/ ''BUDDHA X'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

制作風景「ホトケ X」 / making view ''BUDDHA X'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

「たれはんにゃ　大黒」/ ''Flabby Hannya Black'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

「たれはんにゃ」/ ''Flabby Hannya'', 2007, FRP based sculpture

「そらむし」/ ''soramushi'', 2007, FRP based sculpture

展示風景「そらむし」/ installation view ''soramushi'', 2007, FRP based sculpture

「犬張り子 [ バーガー＆髑髏 ] [ 菊花髑髏 ] [ 折紙兜 ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ Hamburger & Dokuro ] [ Kikka Dokuro ] [ Origami Kabuto ]'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

制作風景「犬張り子 [ 髑髏バーガー ]」 / making view ''Inu Hariko [ Hamburger & Dokuro ]'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

制作風景「犬張り子 [ 菊花髑髏]　」 / making view ''Inu Hariko [ Kikka Dokuro ]'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

制作風景「犬張り子 [ 折紙兜 ]」 / making view ''Inu Hariko [ Origami Kabuto ]'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

「犬張り子 [ 星抜き龍 ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ White Star & Dragon ]'', 2007, FRP based sculpture

「犬張り子 [ 一九四五散桜花 ] [ 菊花紋髑髏添 ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ 1945 sanouka ] [ Kikkamon dokurozoe ]'', 2008, FRP based sculpture

「犬張り子 [ シャネラー I・II ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ Chaneller I ・II ]'', 2007, FRP based sculpture, photo : Kei Uesugi

「犬張り子 [ 錦帯橋と鷲 ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ kintaikyou bridge and eagle ]'', 2006, FRP based sculpture

「犬張り子 [ 51 ]」/ ''Inu Hariko [ 51 ]'', 2007, FRP based sculpture

連載彫刻 vol.18 「エクスペンシブ・イエロー」/ Serialized sculpture vol.16 ''Expensive yellow'', 2007, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.17 「イナバウアー」/ Serialized sculpture vol.17 ''Ina Bauer'', 2007, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.16 「化け皮」/ Serialized sculpture vol.16 ''The gilt is off'', 2007, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.15 「携帯戦国時代」/ Serialized sculpture vol.15 ''Cellular phone warring period'', 2007, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.13 「青いハンカチ」/ Serialized sculpture vol.13 ''Blue handkerchief'', 2006, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.12 「マークIII」/ Serialized sculpture vol.12 ''Mark III'', 2006, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.11.1 「窮鼠からの還暦祝い」/ Serialized sculpture vol.11.1 ''Sixtieth birthday celebration from a cornered rat'', 2006, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.11 「窮鼠の金縛り」/ Serialized sculpture vol.11 ''Binding tight of the cornered rat'', 2006, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.10 「おともだち」/ Serialized sculpture vol.10 ''Friends'', 2006, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.9 「アイウルフ」/ Serialized sculpture vol.9 '''Ai Wolf'', 2006, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.8 「鬼ヶ島」/ Serialized sculpture vol.8 ''ONIGASHIMA'', 2006, Super sculpey lacquer paint

連載彫刻 vol.7 「HG ガンダム」/ Serialized sculpture vol.7 ''HG Gundam'', 2005, Mixed media sculpture

連載彫刻 vol.6 「グッバイフリーダム」/ Serialized sculpture vol.6 ''Good-bye freedom'', 2005, Mixed media sculpture

連載彫刻 vol.5 「二十世宗家秘伝プロレス面」/ Serialized sculpture vol.5 ''20th soke’s secret professional wrestling mask'', 2005, Mixed media sculpture

連載彫刻 vol.4 「パイプ役」/ Serialized sculpture vol.4 ''Pipe role'', 2005, Mixed media sculpture

連載彫刻 vol.3 「たべてろ」/ Serialized sculpture vol.3 ''Eating terrorism'', 2005, Mixed media sculpture

連載彫刻 vol.2 「ポーズ」/ Serialized sculpture vol.2 ''Pose'', 2005, Mixed media sculpture

連載彫刻 vol.1 「切れ者」/ Serialized sculpture vol.1 ''The real-deal'', 2005, Mixed media sculpture

連載彫刻 vol.0 「いまたちあがるわけ」/ Serialized sculpture vol.0 ''Reason to stand now'', 2005, Mixed media sculpture

「平和だと太る」/ ''grow fat because peace.'', 2003, FRP based sculpture

「痛みを伴う改革」/ ''Painful reform'', 2003, FRP based sculpture

「熱しやすく」/ "Easy to heat", 2003, Mixed media sculpture

「冷めやすい」/ "Easy to cool", 2003, Mixed media sculpture

「玉虫色である」/ "Tamamushi color", 2003, Mixed media sculpture

制作風景「平和だと太る」 / making view ''grow fat because peace.'', 2003, FRP based sculpture

「money plan(e) ¥実際に使用できません　US$効率的消費活動」/ ''money plan(e) ¥cannot be used actually US$ efficient consumption activities'', 2003, Mixed media sculpture

BIOGRAPHY

Biography

1976: Born in Kanagawa, Japan

Education

2002: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Tama Art University, Tokyo, Japan

EXHIBITIONS ＆ ART FAIRS

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2021: “AKIRA YOSHIDA SOLO EXHIBITION”, YUKARI ART MINI, Tokyo, Japan
2020: “AKIRA YOSHIDA SOLO EXHIBITION”, YUKARI ART MINI, Tokyo, Japan
2018: “AKIRA YOSHIDA SOLO EXHIBITION”, YUKARI ART MINI, Tokyo, Japan
: “play with soft toys”, HIROUMI, Tokyo, Japan
2016: “Akira Yoshida solo exhibition”, Hideharu Fukasaku Gallery Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
2011: “Akira Yoshida solo exhibition”, YUKARI ART, Tokyo, Japan
2008: “Merry Christmas in Buddhist Altar Room”, YUKARI ART CONTEMPORARY, Tokyo, Japan
2007: “Inu Hariko”, Gallery ES, Tokyo, Japan
2006: “A serial sculpture”, Gallery ES, Tokyo, Japan
2005: “Akira Yoshida solo exhibition”, Makii masaru fine arts, Tokyo, Japan
: “A serial sculpture”, Gallery ES, Tokyo, Japan
: “Personal MIKOSHI”, Brick-one, Tokyo, Japan
2004: “King hamster’s counterattack”, Makii masaru fine arts, Tokyo, Japan
: “JFL”, Gallery ES, Tokyo, Japan
2002: “carbon×sushioke”, Makii masaru fine arts, Tokyo, Japan

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024: "Shibuya Neko Hariko and its friends", Shibuya HIKARIE 8/CUBE, Tokyo, Japan
2022: “Summer Show” , MIZUMA ART Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2021: “KEICHITSU WO MACHIWABITE” , Takashimaya, Tokyo, Japan
: “RAN SHO HOU SHU” , Gallery MUMON, Tokyo, Japan
: “Perpetual Gaze” , MIZUMA ART Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

2020: “Kudo+ArtOrque” , Brick-one, Tokyo, Japan
: “RAN SHO HOU SHU” , Gallery MUMON, Tokyo, Japan
: “Two ways towards...” , ROPPONGI HILLS A/D Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2019-17: “042 art area project Super Open Studio” ,Sagamihara,Japan
2018: “Between cafe and sculpture” ,Yamagata Biennale 2018,Yamagata, Japan
2017: “treasure hunting” , Takashimaya, Tokyo, Japan
: “DANDANS Archive Exhibition” , Aso’s private residence, Tokyo, Japan
2014: “Sweet Paradox” , Mizuma Gallery Singapore
2013: “042 art area project 2013 Super Open Studio” ,Sagamihara,Japan
2011: “RE: 2011”, Galeria Punto, Tokyo, Japan
: “ZIPANGU”, Takashimaya, Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, Japan
2010: “RE: 2010”, Galeria Punto, Tokyo, Japan
: “Explorer −celebratory exhibition for the retirement of Atsuo ISHII−”, Tama Art University Museum, Tokyo, Japan
2009: “ANIMAMIX BIENNIAL 2009-2010”, Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
: “outdoors art exhibition: art by a river”, around Motomachi Gogan, Hiroshima, Japan
2008: “RE: 2008”, Galeria Punto, Tokyo, Japan
: “NETWORK PROJECT JAPAN”, inter alia Art Contemporary, Korea
: “The House -How to live with modern art-”, Nippon Homes Model Houses in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, Japan
: “Imaginary animal kingdom”, YUKARI ART CONTEMPORARY, Tokyo, Japan
: “Hiroshima-O”, ex bank of Japan, Hiroshima branch, Hiroshima, Japan
2007: “RE: 2007”, Galeria Punto, Tokyo, Japan
: “LE MONDE COCO”, CHANEL NEXUS HALL, Tokyo, Japan
: “ZERO-K”, SPACE ZERO, Tokyo, Japan
2006: “A lunch”, AXIS Gallery ANNEX, Tokyo, Japan
: “Yamaguchi prefecture citizen’s cultural festival 2006”, Yamaguchi, Japan
: “Hiroshima-O”, ex bank of Japan, Hiroshima branch, Hiroshima, Japan
: “RE: ”, Galeria Punto, Tokyo, Japan
2005: “EMA daikanyama opening”, EMA daikanyama, Tokyo, Japan
: “Rinjin no kei”, EMA daikanyama, Tokyo, Japan
: “Animal Illusional World”, Sagamihara Citizen’s Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2004: “gun gun organon”, Gallery Barco, Tokyo, Japan
2003: “FRONT BRIDGE”, Maebashi cultural laboratory, Gunma, Japan
: “SAGAMIHARART OPEN STUDIO”, Sagamihara Citizen’s Gallery, Kanagawa, Japan
: “FRONT BRIDGE”, Maebashi cultural laboratory, Gunma, Japan
2002: “Thrift pop”, Laforet Museum, Tokyo, Japan
: “Six persons show”, Robinson department store, Kanagawa, Japan

Selected Art Fairs

2024: Art Fair Tokyo 2024, Tokyo, Japan
2022: LA Art Show 2022, Miami, Los Angeles, USA; Art Fair Tokyo 2022, Tokyo, Japan; ART OSAKA 2022, Osaka, Japan; Art Miami 2022, Miami, USA
2013: SNIFF OUT 2013, Osaka, Japan
2012: ART KYOTO, Kyoto, Japan
2010: KIAF, Korea International Art Fair 2010, Seoul, Korea
: ASIA TOP GALLERY HOTEL ART FAIR HONG KONG, Hong Kong
2009: Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair 2009, Tokyo, Japan
: EMERGING DIRECTORS‘ ART FAIR ULTRA 002, Tokyo, Japan
: ART TAIPEI 2009, Taipei, Taiwan
2007: Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair 2007, Tokyo, Japan
2004: KIAF, Korea International Art Fair 2004, Seoul, Korea

AWARDS

Selected Awards

2000: Grand prix on "Kitano Takeshi’s TV show “Daredemo PICASO”, competition by 5 art universities in Japan, Tokyo television

Commission Works

Selected Commission Works

2004: designed custom made jackets for mobile phone "panasonic FOMA p900i"

COLLECTION

Public Collection

: Hong Kong MTR(Mass Transit Railway), City One Station; Nishi Ginza Chance Center, the most popular lottery stand in Japan

Videos and Articles

: Official Website of Akira YOSHIDA's Sculpture Shibuya Neko Hariko

"Shibuya Neko Hariko" by Akira Yoshida in Shibuya Sakura Stage!

We are delighted to announce you that Akira YOSHIDA's maneki neko (beckoning cat) shaped sculpture "Shibuya Neko Hariko" will be exhibited at Shibuya Sakura Stage from the 2nd of March, 2025. About Shibuya Neko Hariko： Shibuya Neko Hariko was originally created in...

YUKARI ART mini Vol.20 Akira YOSHIDA

YUKARI ART is pleased to announce that "YUKARI ART mini", a tiny window gallery we run in Nakameguro, Tokyo has started its 20th exhibition by Akira YOSHIDA. We are currently displaying Yoshida’s latest sculpture from Inuhariko series. Please come and enjoy the...

Progress report of the copyright infringement of Akira YOSHIDA’S work Shibuya Neko Hariko and announcement on an unveiling exhibition for the restored work

[The original Japanese version was published on November 22, 2023] To the supporters of Akira Yoshida and all those concerned. We sincerely thank you for the tremendous support you have provided since our announcement on February 23, 2023 regarding the unauthorized...