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Explore Keisuke Matsuda's Artistic Evolution at YUGEN Gallery

Starting June 20, 2026, YUGEN Gallery in Tokyo's Minato Ward will host an exciting retrospective entitled "Keisuke Matsuda Works 2009-2026 | The World is 'Empty'". This exhibition marks a significant milestone, being the first mid-career retrospective for the artist who has been redefining modern art through abstract painting and ceramic work.

Meet the Artist

Keisuke Matsuda was born in 1984 in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. After graduating from the Kyoto City University of Arts, he established his practice in Kyoto. His pieces are well-known for their vibrant color palettes, fluid brush strokes, and daring use of negative space. Over his two-decade career, Matsuda's artistic direction has continually evolved, reflecting his growing interests and transitions into mixed media.

Artistic Characteristics

Matsuda's early works prominently featured deformed human figures, hinting at a closeness to figurative forms. However, a shift occurred in the 2010s where his focus transitioned towards abstraction. His brushwork from this period draws the viewer’s gaze inward, engaging them with the canvas's surface beyond mere representation. This period is marked by a development of bold negative space, which became a defining feature of his style.

In recent years, after 2010, Matsuda's work began to embrace a more spontaneous approach. His utilization of improvisational strokes reflects a deeper exploration of form and recognition in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional contexts. This shift has included expanding into ceramics, allowing Matsuda to bridge the gap between his paint and sculptural practices, emphasizing the processes through which perception and forms emerge over time.

Three Chapters of Discovery

The exhibition will systematically navigate Matsuda’s progression through a three-chapter format:
1. Early Works (2009-2012): This section showcases pieces created shortly after his graduate studies, demonstrating the initial stages of his artistic approach.
2. Middle Phase (2012-2019): Here, viewers can see the marked emphasis on composition through negative space and color field explorations.
3. Recent Works (2020-Present): This chapter highlights the latest creations, which integrate ceramic work and illustrate the most contemporary facets of his practice.

Each chapter will feature representative works that encapsulate the ethos and methodologies of Matsuda’s career, illuminating the underlying shifts in his artistic lens.

Cross-Media Presentations

An intriguing aspect of this retrospective is the incorporation of various media including paintings, drawings, and ceramics. By juxtaposing these different forms, the exhibition aims to stir conversations about the interconnectedness of strokes, space, and temporality that underlines Matsuda's artistic vision. His work serves as an ongoing engagement with the act of perceiving the world, shifting between flat surfaces and three-dimensional explorations.

To accompany the exhibition, a small catalog reflecting on Matsuda's journey will be published, featuring a selection of his works from early pieces to new creations.

Additionally, a commemorative talk event will be organized, where Matsuda will join exhibition organizer Yoshinori Tsuchida to discuss Matsuda’s body of work. Details will follow.

Event Details

• - Title: Keisuke Matsuda Works 2009-2026 | The World is 'Empty'
• - Duration: June 20, 2026 – July 20, 2026
• - Opening Hours: Weekdays 1 PM - 7 PM; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 1 PM - 8 PM (Final day closing at 5 PM)
• - Location: YUGEN Gallery, 4F KD Minami Aoyama Building, 3-1-31 Minato, Tokyo
• - Admission: Free Entry

For updates on the artist's presence and the latest information, please check YUGEN Gallery's official Instagram and website: YUGEN Gallery.

Artist Profile: Learn more about Keisuke Matsuda’s past works and current projects on YUGEN Gallery's online store. His transformational journey within contemporary art continues to open new discussions and expand artistic boundaries.