Bunpei Kado

Trees floating in the sky, a dense forest inside a drum barrel, buds blooming from a wooden drawer…

Bunpei Kado is an emerging Japanese sculptor. He pokes fun at everyday problems with his own wit, humor, and imagination. The materials he uses for his works are quite ordinary: drum barrels, skateboards, wooden picture frames, etc. Recently, he has been focusing on environmental issues, exploring what lies behind the “chronicle of hope” written by humankind’s advances in technology. Yet, it is not dark or frightening. Kado’s analytical and sometimes playful interpretation of even the heaviest topic creates a bright and unique atmosphere. Critics have described Bunpei Kado as “an artist who makes the invisible visible with ease,” within whom “lightness and weight coexist.” He is regarded as one of Japan’s most promising artists, perpetuating the social role that art can play in his own way. Born in 1978 in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, Kado studied metalwork at Musashino Art University’s Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft Design, and participated in an art residency program in Paris from 2008 to 2009. Since 2011, he held 20 group and nine solo exhibitions.

“The essence of my work lies in the rediscovery of everyday life. I always try to create new meanings by combining common objects from our daily lives, changing their original function and content. It’s like putting a puzzle together.”

His work is an overlapping of fun elements, like childhood toys, and mysterious elements. “The meaning of my work can develop in different ways depending on the viewer,” says Kado, “and I consider sophistication, flexibility, and playfulness simultaneously when conceiving my work.” This is what makes his work approachable to people of all ages and nationalities, although his work often deals with heavy subjects, such as environmental issues and urban problems.

“People hold stereotypes about certain phenomena or things. By tweaking them ever so slightly, I achieve irony. I think it’s those “little deviations” that differentiate me from other artists who deal with similar themes.”

Bunfei’s work ranges from small to large-scale pieces. He works alone from start to finish, even on projects that might otherwise require a team effort. His inspiration comes from the world’s problems.

“There are various social issues that are common to the world, such as epidemics and climate change. I would like to approach these issues from a more familiar viewpoint. While there are many ways to raise awareness about these issues and solve them, art is a common language that transcends race and language, above all others.”

Monky trail [Dream Land] Exhibition view, Kanagawa Civic hall gallery, 2022