Kohei Maeda
  • Artist

Kohei Maeda

Born in Wakayama in 1991. He studied at Paris National School of Fine Arts Ecole des Beaux-Arts as an exchange student, and graduated from Otemae University, Faculty of Media Arts, Department of Art Studies in 2015. He also completed the Department of Painting, Concept and Media Planning course, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Kyoto City University of Arts in 2017. He is interested in relationships and the distance of people, nature and things, and continues his exploratory journey with various perspectives. Based on his own actions and experiences, he presents his work such as videos and performances, both at home and abroad. His projects include “Mandalabo”, which follows the philosophical ideas of Minakata Kumagusu. Currently, he is based in the share studio "SSK (Super Studio Kitakagaya)", on the site of the former dockyard in Osaka. Major exhibitions include "Methods of Connection" Kyoto Art Center, solo exhibition "Pangasianodon Gigas" Kyoto City University of Arts Gallery @KCUA, and solo exhibition "Itomu" Gallery PARC. He won the Kobe Mayor's Prize at Rokko Meets Art Art Walk 2019.

  • Breathing （2021）

    Breathing （2021）

    Kohei Maeda, a native of Tanabe City in Wakayama Prefecture, has been creating works based on the relationship between people, nature, and events, using his own experiences as a guide. This work was inspired by the “Kozanji-style earthenware” found at the ancient temple where the exhibition will be held. It can be said that this work visualizes the layers of prayer, time, and wisdom of the mountains where spirits, gods, and Buddha reside.

    Kozanji Temple

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    Kozanji Temple

    Kozannji Temple was founded by Kobo-Daishi Kukai (the great teacher who spread the dharma), and is lined with many halls, including a multi-storey pagoda that was built during the Edo period. The cemetery at the temple overlooks the sea and is the resting place of Kumagusu Minakata, a giant of knowledge, and Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Many archaeological artifacts have been found in the shell mounds on the temple precincts, including "Kozanji-style earthenware" decorated with oshigata-mon and yoriito-mon.

  • “Over to you” (2017)

    “Over to you” (2017)

    Influenced by the thoughts of Kumagusu Minakata, one of the great figures of his hometown, Maeda attempts to indwell (go into deeply with the whole body and soul ) into the world beyond the so-called real world of "things, objects, and mind" (objects: the realm of physics, mind: the realm of psychology, and things: the realm of reasoning and prediction). The kite flying in the sky with the motif of Kumagusu (the self and the other) is a clue to the understanding of the macro and micro universes and the "great wonder" (the fundamental place that encompasses everything).

    Minakata Kumagusu Hall of Honour

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    Minakata Kumagusu Hall of Honour

    Minakata Kumagusu was a pioneer in the field of natural history and folklore, and one of Japan's leading botanists. In order to honor his achievements, the museum was opened in 2006, and the building is adjacent to the residence where he spent the last 25 years of his life. The museum is known as a center for the permanent preservation and use of his valuable collection of books and materials, and for the promotion of research on Kumagusu.

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