MOKUME by Kentaro Kobuke

Kentaro Kobuke was born in Hiroshima in 1975. Since graduating with an MA in Fine Art from the Chelsea College of Art and Design in 2009, he has been based in London. Over the past ten years, he has held solo shows in Tokyo, Osaka, Paris, Seoul and London, in addition to taking part in a variety of group exhibitions. MOKUME showcases works drawn on cherry wood taken from Japan’s most celebrated tree. This adds to a narrative that explores the coexistence of contemporary life with traditional Japanese myths. Kobuke’s colours are vivid and beautiful, his motifs free-spirited; the big, unfocused eyes of Kobuke’s figures somehow epitomise the melancholy of a younger generation.

Kentaro Kobuke: Kobuke’s pop images are used in various commercial scenes such as COMME des GARCONS, GYRE, Tokyo and Isetan/Loope Wheeler.  He has also published two books, Start and Kinopipinoki. Solo shows include Parfait at SCAI THE BATHHOUSE in Tokyo (2004) and Names at AAA Gallery in Paris (2008). Kobuke has also shown in New York with John Connelly Presents and at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo. Other recent group shows include Cultural Detritus at Pippy Houldsworth and ‘Sunset in the Morning’ at Master Piper.  The artist’s works were also exhibited in 2010 at the Saatchi Gallery as part of Highlights from the Franks-Suss Collection. Kentaro Kobuke is currently represented in Tokyo by SCAI THE BATHHOUSE.