Akari Uragami
Akari Uragami (Tokyo, 1989) graduated from Musashino Art University, major in textile. She majored in traditional Japanese dyeing techniques at the university.
Using soft sculpture, she expresses humans as organisms, depicting their internal and external phenomena. These sculptures, which are knitted, sewn and tied, push back against the constraint and bulge, thereby creating beauty in its form of resistance and unpredictable shapes. Her current works consist of two elements - softness, and tying with ropes that signifies our own culture, commandments, social and the personal beliefs and ideals that shape us.
These elements of constraint/fixation, softness/release are woven and knitted together, juxtaposing contradicting senses of security and violence. It combines personal and social, with intimate experiences told through hand-crafted textile and external relationships and interactions represented by ropes, to tell anonymous human stories. Her work has been included in exhibitions and projects in Japan, Korea, USA and Mexico.
CV
Born and raised in Tokyo
Based in Tokyo and Kamakura, Japan
EDUCATION:
BA in Textile at Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan
Modelisme at ESMOD TOKYO
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2023
Local ritual, LAID BUG, Daikanyama, Tokyo, Japan
2018
Reality Check, Marinship studios, CA, USA
2016
TRANSPOSE, KIAN Art Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2015
hunting, Gallery Omotesando DiEGO, Tokyo, Japan
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2023
Hysteria Kolectiva, matamoros404, Oaxaca, Mexico
group exhibition, Ohashi Kaikan, Tokyo, Japan
2022
Viscera/Epiphora, Compound Yucca Valley, CA, USA
2021
P.O.N.D, PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
exhibition Sayonara Gallery Tsukigime, Gallery Tsukigime, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
2018
All visual LA, The Forge, CA, USA
2012
Selected Works from Musashino Art University Degree Show 2011,
Musashino Art University Museum & Library, Tokyo, Japan
PROJECTS AND RESIDENCY:
2022
Public art / Collaboration with The Conran Shop, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
2021
Public art for Hibiya Fort Tower, Tokyo, Japan
Appeared on Podcast “ART PERSONALS”, COMPOUND YUCCA VALLEY, LA, USA
2020
Public art for GREEN SPRINGS, Produced by TACHIHI HOLDINGS Co.,Ltd-
Area management and artistic direction by SPIRAL / Wacoal Art Center, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
Artist in residence at Koganecho AIR, Tokyo, Japan
2019
Artwork for Floating Points Japan tour at VENT TOKYO, Tokyo, Japan
Artist in residence and public art at Mustard hotel, Tokyo, Japan
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHIES and MEDIA:
MADE IN JAPAN this years issue, cover art and interview
Japanese magazine Mina
PARCO SPECIAL IN YOU.
WWD Japan Vol.2206
Mural at Mustard hotel was broadcast on Japanese TV program, NIPPON TV
Interviewed by GREEN SPRINGS
Qetic Magazine, Tokyo, Japan
TOKYO WEEKENDER MAGAZINE "5 TOKYO CREATIVES TO WATCH", Japan
quint magazine, Amsterdam, Netherlands
AXIS Magazine vol.156, Japan.
AWARDS:
2019
Tachihi public art award2020
2012
Excellence Graduation Award, Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan
2011
Selected and commercialized textile competition in Nishiwaki, Hyogo, Japan