Risshisha

Hello, this is Obuchi from Risshisha.

I usually write about food and soccer,
so this time I'll change things up and talk about art.

Near Heian Shrine is the Kyoto Okazaki Tsutaya Bookstore.

Sculptor Kitaura Kazuya, who was born in Osaka and currently lives in Kansai,
is having a solo exhibition titled "Our stacking life" at the GALLERY EN Wall in the store.

・Artist profile
Kazuya Kitaura
Born in Osaka in 1983
Instagram: @kitaura

・Recent big exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

2024 Kazuya Kitaura Exhibition "RE:COLLECTION" / NEW PURE (Osaka)
2024 "new new new"/ FOLK old book store (Osaka)
2023 "TOY !" / Shinsaibashi PARCO skiima gallery (Osaka)
2022 "PARTICLE" / MOTIF (Kagawa)
2022 "PUFF" / VOU (Kyoto)
2022 "PEACE OF PIECE" / galerie6c (Nishinomiya)
2022 "100 Words" / Yonagado (Osaka)

Group Exhibitions

2025 "CAT A LOG-VOU Stick 10th Anniversary Exhibition" / VOU (Kyoto)
2025 Kitaura Kazuya POP UP EVENT 2025 "small rocket room" / Yonagado Tenmabashi (Osaka)
2025 Life's Joy Exhibition "HOBO SUPER SHOP" / Hobonichi Booth (Tokyo)
2024 "Things that continue to live" / Zuiun-an (Kyoto)
2024 Shidare Museum "Power Word Exhibition" / Rokko Mountain Garden Terrace (Kobe)
2023 "Rokko Meets Art Art Walk 2023 beyond" / Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden (Kobe)
2023 "MIND TRAIL Okuyamato Art Museum in the Heart" / Soni Village Area (Nara)
2023 "Encounter with the Known Kitaura Kazuya x Yan2" / Kyoto Seika University Satellite Space Demachi (Kyoto)

Wood is the main material used in Kazuya Kitaura's sculptures,
which are carved from a single block with layered
pop colors and rhythmic carvings.

His unique artworks are created by combining items that at first look to have nothing to do
with well-known animals and characters from fairy tales, science fiction, and fantasy, as well as local toys.
The combination gives the themes new connections and stories and captures the curiosity of the viewer.

About 15 items, mostly his most latest artwork, are on exhibit this time.

Every item tells a story from the unique viewpoint of each person while applying the simple yet strong attraction of wood.

I don't relate to the items at all for a reason.I have known Kitaura-san since kindergarten.

I don't think it's odd that he makes sketching his career because he's been talented at it since he was a young child.

He drew me a picture of Gundam when I was in elementary school, and I still remember it. LOL

I felt it would be wonderful to present Kitaura-kun to everyone now that he is in Kyoto for a solo show.Recent major exhibitions

Kazuya Kitaura solo exhibition "Our stacking life"
Dates: July 5th (Sat) - July 29th (Tue), 2025
Time: 10:00-20:00
Venue: Kyoto Okazaki Tsutaya Bookstore GALLERY EN Wall
Admission: Free

The exhibited artworks will be for sale in the store starting on Saturday, July 5th, at 10 a.m.

A few of the artworks will also be for sale on the online art marketplace "OIL by Bijutsu Techo" from Monday, July 7th at 11 a.m. until Tuesday, July 29th at 11:59 p.m.

If you are in the area, please come and see our wonderful works.

See you next..
Risshisha Obuchi