ARTIST
ARTIST
biography
Kiichiro Ogawa
barracks* anonymous design gang / artist
Born in Osaka, Japan in 1970. At the early age of six, Kiichiro was strongly influenced by images of black leather biker jackets with skeletons drawn by punk rockers. At that time, there were no rider jackets for kids, so he started designing and drawing on denim jackets using bleach, his usage of paint began a few years later. In retrospect, this was the catalyst for Kiichiro's transition into the world of art and design. While other kids were drawing on papers, Kiichiro was expanding his creative horizons by drawing all over clothes, bags, furniture and over other people's drawings. After being closely connected with the architecture industry for over 20 years, he branched out on his own as an independent artist. Currently, Kiichiro is drawing and painting on stage costumes, clothing, bags, furniture, canvas, buildings. Kiichiro's work is characterised by the use of house paint. His performance is aptly described as "paint on the air" in that his artistic execution draws upon moments whereby the atmosphere becomes electric, followed by the conception of a drawing, without physically touching the actual object. Apart from working on a number of hotel art projects both domestic and abroad, there have been recent artistic connections & collaborations with the Marriott Group Hotel, solo exhibitions in Paris and Germany, a special guest presentation at the New York State Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) and has recently been appointed by a fashion brand in Paris to name a few. Above all, the announcement of the one and only 'PEEK-A-BOO' bag in the world at " Design Miami 2018 " in which Kiichiro was featured as a collaborative artist, one of only 5 people in the world with FENDI, became a hot topic of conversation. In 2020, He acquired a french VISA 'Passeport talent' and moved to France to expand his activity base to Europe. Rather than just simply produce with a set objective in mind, He is an artist that creates through the interaction of his surrounding phenomena. Live through art. Anyone can be an artist. This is a fact of life. Kiichiro's mission in life is to spread the word to all that immersion into the world of art will bring meaning and pure enjoyment into their lives.
biography
Kiichiro Ogawa
barracks* anonymous design gang / artist
barracks* anonymous design gang / artist
Born in Osaka, Japan in 1970. At the early age of six, Kiichiro was strongly influenced by images of black leather biker jackets with skeletons drawn by punk rockers. At that time, there were no rider jackets for kids, so he started designing and drawing on denim jackets using bleach, his usage of paint began a few years later. In retrospect, this was the catalyst for Kiichiro's transition into the world of art and design. While other kids were drawing on papers, Kiichiro was expanding his creative horizons by drawing all over clothes, bags, furniture and over other people's drawings. After being closely connected with the architecture industry for over 20 years, he branched out on his own as an independent artist. Currently, Kiichiro is drawing and painting on stage costumes, clothing, bags, furniture, canvas, buildings. Kiichiro's work is characterised by the use of house paint. His performance is aptly described as "paint on the air" in that his artistic execution draws upon moments whereby the atmosphere becomes electric, followed by the conception of a drawing, without physically touching the actual object. Apart from working on a number of hotel art projects both domestic and abroad, there have been recent artistic connections & collaborations with the Marriott Group Hotel, solo exhibitions in Paris and Germany, a special guest presentation at the New York State Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) and has recently been appointed by a fashion brand in Paris to name a few. Above all, the announcement of the one and only 'PEEK-A-BOO' bag in the world at " Design Miami 2018 " in which Kiichiro was featured as a collaborative artist, one of only 5 people in the world with FENDI, became a hot topic of conversation. In 2020, He acquired a french VISA 'Passeport talent' and moved to France to expand his activity base to Europe. Rather than just simply produce with a set objective in mind, He is an artist that creates through the interaction of his surrounding phenomena. Live through art. Anyone can be an artist. This is a fact of life. Kiichiro's mission in life is to spread the word to all that immersion into the world of art will bring meaning and pure enjoyment into their lives.
philosophy
Paint on the air.
His life revolves around the word 邂逅 KAI-KOH（“encounter”）.
To come upon by chance.
His creative conception originates not from a future vision of artistic details and their assemblage, but rather by impassioned sensations from spontaneous occurrences that well up from within his subconscious to be unleashed , and intertwined with the surrounding phenomena, to act as a catalyst for free flowing creative inspiration.
His heart felt bound by the restraint of his conscious self, thus unable to give life to his creative desires. It dawned on him that his deep indistinct subconscious thoughts, perceptions and aspirations, gave birth to his true creative process. It is a kind of struggle to paint on the air without touching the objects to be painted, trying to find himself deep in the unconscious.
"GURU-GURU" is a Japanese word meaning "the way things turn continuously" or "the way things wrap around each other in layers., which is very representative of Kiichiroʼs painting style. He is also well known for his concept “paint on the air” . Which consists of never touching the actual canvas but letting his subconcious take over the repetitive movements thus creating an artwork that embodies this trance like state. Kiichiroʼs philosophy revolves around the word “encounter” therefore the act of painting without a specific intent allows the viewer to be drawn into this mysterious space where one can find his own significance.
philosophy
Paint on the air.
His life revolves around the word 邂逅 KAI-KOH（“encounter”）.
To come upon by chance.
His creative conception originates not from a future vision of artistic details and their assemblage, but rather by impassioned sensations from spontaneous occurrences that well up from within his subconscious to be unleashed , and intertwined with the surrounding phenomena, to act as a catalyst for free flowing creative inspiration.
His heart felt bound by the restraint of his conscious self, thus unable to give life to his creative desires. It dawned on him that his deep indistinct subconscious thoughts, perceptions and aspirations, gave birth to his true creative process. It is a kind of struggle to paint on the air without touching the objects to be painted, trying to find himself deep in the unconscious.
"GURU-GURU" is a Japanese word meaning "the way things turn continuously" or "the way things wrap around each other in layers., which is very representative of Kiichiroʼs painting style. He is also well known for his concept “paint on the air” . Which consists of never touching the actual canvas but letting his subconcious take over the repetitive movements thus creating an artwork that embodies this trance like state. Kiichiroʼs philosophy revolves around the word “encounter” therefore the act of painting without a specific intent allows the viewer to be drawn into this mysterious space where one can find his own significance.
recent projects
| 2024 | |
| January | : Private exhibition "GURUGURU" at 'la collection' in Antwerp, Belgium |
| 2023 | |
| September | : Art Project "corrugated house" in Toyohashi Aichi, Japan |
| : Exhibited at "TANSEIKAI" at ISETAN SHINJUKU in Tokyo, Japan | |
| April | : FENDI ”hand in hand exhibition” exhibited the art collaboration work of Peekaboo bag painted by Kiichiro |
| in Tokyo, Japan |
|
| March | : Private exhibition "GURUGURU -Berührt – Verführt- “ à Kunstverein Ulm, Germany |
| January | : Private exhibition "GURUGURU -Beyond the sanctuary- " at Galerie Nichido in Paris |
| 2022 | |
| October | : Private exhibition “GURUGURU" at SINIBALDI GALERIE in Arles France |
| August | : Private exhibition “GURUGURU - Eye am watching you-" at Hankyu MEN’S OSAKA dept. Store in Japan |
| July | : In charge of producing all paintings in the new hotel “Auberge eaufeu” in Komatsu, Japan |
| July | : Exhibition “FOUR PLANES” at Merkenwinkel, Amsterdam |
| April | : Private exhibition “GURUGURU - Eye am watching you-" at Galerie la Lison in Paris |
| March | : Private exhibition “GURUGURU - stillness and motion" at ARMINE OHANYAN PARIS in Paris |
| 2021 | |
| December | : Private exhibition "GURU-GURU -Jusqu’au bout du souffle-" at GALERIE PAUL AMARICA in Paris |
| October | : Collaborated with the fashion brand "MAISON ARMINE OHANYAN PARIS“ during Paris Fashion Week |
| September | : Exhibit to ”LES ARTISTES ORIGINAIRES du HYOGO JAPON “ at Bureau de Representation du HYOGO |
| June | : The first solo exhibition ”GURU-GURU” after moving to Paris |
| 2020 | |
| November | : Moved to France |
| October | : Private exhibition “confinement art” at Kobe Fashion Museum |
| : Published his art book “監禁芸術confinement art” | |
| September | : Private exhibition “寂光-solitude-” at Gallery SUGATA in ZENKASHOIN Kyoto |
| June | : Private exhibition ”WATERSHED 93125” at ROKKOSAN SILENCE RESORT in Kobe |
| March | : Provided the costume in the Netflix’s drama “FOLLOWERS” distributed simultaneously to190 countries worldwide |
| February | : Collaboration with DOMANI Antwerpen Belgique released in February |
| 2019 | |
| August | : Opened a private exhibition at MITOYO-TSURU as Setouchi Triennale 2019 in Kagawa(1st Aug.-04th Nov. |
| July | : Invited to give an art performance at the Japan Expo in Paris. |
| April | : Worked for a mural production in Kagawa prefecture, Guest house "ARCHIPELAGO" and |
| "AWASHIMA ART CANVAS"as part of the Setouchi Art Festival. | |
| March | : Mural production of Kimono shop "Kyokomachi" in Kyoto. |
| January | : Took part in a collaborative exhibition and live painting with fashion brand ‘vital’ in Paris. |
| 2018 | |
| December | : Announced collaboration work with fashion brand "FENDI" in Miami. |
| : Selected as one of 5 artists in the world chosen by FENDI. | |
| : Guest presentation at FIT (New York State Fashion Institute of Technology). | |
| November | : First stage of the art event "Silent Cabaret" for the world premiere at Nishinomiyahama. |
| October | : Collaging Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" working with Louis Vuitton video team and Kyodo News Co., Ltd. |
| September | : Opened a private exhibition "ENCOUNTER" in Paris. |
| August | : Art production of 5 star hotel "Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Hotel" of the Marriott Group Hotel in Taipei. |
| June | : Worked on art production of the entire Rakuten Hotel complex in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.・February |
| February | : Opened the "Turn Table Hotel" in Shibuya, Tokyo as part of a public project of Tokushima Prefecture. |
recent project
2024
January
: Private exhibition "GURUGURU" at 'la collection' in Antwerp, Belgium
2023
September
: Art Project "corrugated house" in Toyohashi Aichi, Japan
: Exhibited at "TANSEIKAI" at ISETAN SHINJUKU in Tokyo, Japan
April
: FENDI ”hand in hand exhibition” exhibited the art collaboration work of Peekaboo bag painted by Kiichiro in Tokyo, Japan
March
: Private exhibition "GURUGURU - Berührt – Verführt -“ à Kunstverein Ulm, Germany
January
: Private exhibition "GURUGURU - Beyond the sanctuary -" at Galerie Nichido in Paris
2022
October
: Private exhibition “GURUGURU at SINIBALDI GALERIE in Arles France
August
: Private exhibition “GURUGURU - Eye am watching you-" at Hankyu MEN’S OSAKA dept. Store in Japan
July
: In charge of producing all paintings in the new hotel “Auberge eaufeu” in Komatsu, Japan
July
: Exhibition “FOUR PLANES” at Merkenwinkel, Amsterdam
April
: Private exhibition “GURUGURU - Eye am watching you-" at Galerie la Lison in Paris
March
: Private exhibition “GURUGURU - stillness and motion" at ARMINE OHANYAN PARIS in Paris
2021
December
: Private exhibition "GURU-GURU -Jusqu’au bout du souffle-" at GALERIE PAUL AMARICA in Paris
October
: Collaborated with the fashion brand "MAISON ARMINE OHANYAN PARIS“ during Paris Fashion Week
September
: Exhibit to ”LES ARTISTES ORIGINAIRES du HYOGO JAPON “ at Bureau de Representation du HYOGO
June
: The first solo exhibition ”GURU-GURU” after moving to Paris
2020
November
: Moved to France
October
: Private exhibition “confinement art” at Kobe Fashion Museum
: Published his art book “監禁芸術confinement art”
September
: Private exhibition “寂光-solitude-” at Gallery SUGATA in ZENKASHOIN Kyoto
June
: Private exhibition ”WATERSHED 93125” at ROKKOSAN SILENCE RESORT in Kobe
March
: Provided the costume in the Netflix’s drama “FOLLOWERS” distributed simultaneously to190 countries worldwide
February
: Collaboration with DOMANI Antwerpen Belgique released in February
2019
August
: Opened a private exhibition at MITOYO-TSURU as Setouchi Triennale 2019 in Kagawa(1st Aug.-04th Nov.)
July
: Invited to give an art performance at the Japan Expo in Paris.
April
April
: Worked for a mural production in Kagawa prefecture, Guest house "ARCHIPELAGO" and "AWASHIMA ART CANVAS" as part of the Setouchi Art Festival.
March
: Mural production of Kimono shop "Kyokomachi" in Kyoto.
January
: Took part in a collaborative exhibition and live painting with fashion brand ‘vital’ in Paris.
: Took part in a collaborative exhibition and live painting with fashion brand ‘vital’ in Paris.
2018
December
: Announced collaboration work with fashion brand "FENDI" in Miami.
: Selected as one of 5 artists in the world chosen by FENDI.
: Guest presentation at FIT (New York State Fashion Institute of Technology).
: Selected as one of 5 artists in the world chosen by FENDI.
: Guest presentation at FIT (New York State Fashion Institute of Technology).
November
: First stage of the art event "Silent Cabaret" for the world premiere at Nishinomiyahama.
October
October
: Collaging Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" working with Louis Vuitton video team and Kyodo News Co., Ltd.
September
September
: Opened a private exhibition "ENCOUNTER" in Paris.
August
August
: Art production of 5 star hotel "Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Hotel" of the Marriott Group Hotel in Taipei.
June
June
: Worked on art production of the entire Rakuten Hotel complex in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.・February
February
: Opened the "Turn Table Hotel" in Shibuya, Tokyo as part of a public project of Tokushima Prefecture.
