#Japan #Contemporary Art #Shibuya #Union Tec #art integration

Union Tec Officially Enters the Art Industry

Union Tec Co., Ltd., based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has embarked on an exciting new journey as it officially enters the art industry starting January 2026. With its mission of "Build a new standard," the company is not only a leader in interior design, space planning, and construction for offices, commercial spaces, and residences, but is now expanding to include an art business that revolves around the handling and selling of modern artwork. This new venture capitalizes on Union Tec's expertise in spatial design to curate and present artworks that resonate deeply with the ambiance and intention of various spaces.

Background of the Initiative

In recent years, with advancements in generative AI, the creative process has become more efficient. While generative AI provides an environment to produce quality outputs in a fraction of the time, the importance of discerning judgment and editorial capability — the ability to choose from diverse options and assemble them in meaningful contexts — has never been more crucial. In this context, the human aesthetic sense (the “eye for beauty”) has gained renewed attention as an irreplaceable value that AI cannot replicate.

However, when we examine the global art market, which has reached a staggering valuation of around 10 trillion yen, Japan’s market share is merely around 1%, a stark reminder of its small scale on the international stage. Despite a wealth of talented artists and expressions, a structural issue persists where artworks fail to connect with practical applications and contexts. This disconnection is particularly problematic in Japan, where the true value and story behind artworks are often uncommunicated and limited to mere decor and admiration.

Space Proposals Utilizing Art

Union Tec has long focused on the impact that art has on the quality of space and brand image through numerous office and commercial space design projects. By integrating art as a component of their spatial proposals, they have fostered a culture within the company, including top management, to incorporate art into work and living environments. The establishment of a permanent art exhibition within their company office has allowed employees and visitors to engage with art daily, resulting in enhanced internal and external communication as well as improved evaluations of the spatial surroundings.

Through these experiences, Union Tec has grown to view art not just as decoration but as a pivotal aspect that can be integrated with specific contexts and applications, maximizing its intrinsic value. This realization has driven the company to formally enter the art sector with a focus on proposing and selling art pieces that align with spatial design perspectives.

Key Features of the New Business

Union Tec's art initiative will extend beyond mere sales of artworks and will feature three main characteristics:

1. Art Space Implementation by Design Professionals
Rather than simply selling paintings, Union Tec will focus on curating how artworks harmonize within spaces and the intentions behind their display. This approach enables the company to provide high-value proposals alongside existing office and commercial clients by combining space design with curated art.

2. A Dual Structure of Professionals and Students
By featuring both reputable artists and works from students and young artists, Union Tec aims to nurture the market effectively. The emphasis on professional artworks includes conveying their value and context accurately, while the inclusion of student works serves as an entry point for fresh perspectives, providing them invaluable market experience.

3. Integration of Physical and Online Experiences
Union Tec has dedicated part of its Shibuya office as a gallery space where visitors can get an idea of how art fits into an actual environment. This space is designed to deepen understanding through the artists' insights into their creation processes and concepts, which is expected to expand even further in the future. As this offline initiative progresses, there are plans to develop an online presence, aimed at creating a new O2O (Online-to-Offline) experience in art.

In the internal realm, the company is committed to raising aesthetic sensibilities through art education programs, including overseas training and workshops for employees.

Overview of the Initiative

• - Types of Artworks:

Paintings, photographs, sculptures, mixed media, etc.

• - Participating Artists:

A mixture of active contemporary artists from Japan and abroad, along with current students and graduates from art universities such as Tama Art University and Musashino Art University.
(Specific artist names will be progressively revealed on the website.)

• - Price Range:

From entry-level pieces priced in the tens of thousands to collector items from blue-chip galleries. Union Tec offers flexible proposals based on space size and budget.

• - Sales Channels:

Interested parties can inquire through the website, receiving recommendations and sales from experts, or visit the Union Tec office gallery in Shibuya.

• - Support for Buyers:

Consulting and coordination for art placement, as well as corporate support for offices and commercial spaces.

Statement from Yusuke Okawa, CEO

"Having personally experienced the immense inspiration one can gain from owning art in everyday life and workspaces, I believe that in this evolving era with AI, the most important assets for business professionals are sensitivity and aesthetic judgment. By bridging the art market with the spatial market, we aim to not only create a platform for artists to thrive but also contribute to the revitalization of Japan's art sector."

Future Outlook

Through this initiative, Union Tec envisions strengthening cross-selling opportunities with its existing construction and spatial design business, maximizing the value proposition for clients. Furthermore, they are considering support for artist development, building a secondary market for art resales, and enhancing specific proposal models for corporate clients. For instance, integrating works from local artists into regional hotels and commercial facilities to create value that spans geography, culture, and community is also on the horizon.

About Union Tec Co., Ltd.

Founded in June 2000, Union Tec specializes in interior finishing work for offices and retail spaces. Over the years, it has built a reputation for holistic branding, design, and construction, achieving over 10,000 successful projects. In 2016, the company launched a platform business in the construction industry, and in April 2021, it spun off its business divisions to focus on interior projects while utilizing digital insights for its various offerings.

• - Company Name: Union Tec Co., Ltd.
• - Established: June 2000
• - Location: 4th Floor, 25-12 Dougenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo
• - Capital: 100 million yen
• - Business Activities: Planning, design, and construction of offices, clinics, commercial spaces, residences; CG rendering; BPO for office furniture manufacturers.
• - CEO: Yusuke Okawa
• - Mission: Build a new standard.
• - Corporate Website: Union Tec Corporate Site
• - Office Service Site: Union Tec Services
• - BPO Projects: Union Tec BPO
• - PersGPT (Artificial Rendering): PersGPT