Biography
Takuya Inoue’s (b. 1993, Japan) painting practice is grounded in his encounters with diverse landscapes and people through residencies and site-specific projects. Using both traditional and experimental techniques, Inoue explores how these experiences can be perceived and transformed into works that align with the concept of “universal harmony” (Banbutsu no chowa). Rooted in Japanese aesthetics, this concept points to the interconnectedness of all things.
After completing his graduate studies at Tokyo University of the Arts (2021), Inoue has participated in exhibitions and artist residencies across Asia, Europe, and North America, and has received support from multiple Japanese cultural grant programs. Most recently, during a residency at Centre CLARK in Montreal, Canada (2025), he conceived the project, “ABC”, which addresses the challenge of coexistence in a culturally homogeneous society like Japan. Since then, he has been developing a new series of paintings centered on dialogue and collaboration, signaling a shift from a purely subjective approach to one that embraces a more open and relational mode of perception.
Solo Exhibitions
2025 Difference L.L. Contemporary, Toronto, Canada
2024 Same MEGAFIELD, Beijing, China
2021 Me? HIGURE 17-15 cas, Tokyo, Japan
2018 STRIKE ME PINK! Tokyo University of the Arts, Ibaraki, Japan
Projects
2025 Project: ABC
Studio CLARK, Montreal, Canada
2024 Collaborative Art Project: Kikospace Sound Baths with Paintintgs by Takuya Inoue
Kikospace, Toronto, Canada
2022–23 Residence Project: Making⇄Living
various parts of Japan, mainly in Fukushima, Hiroshima and Kyoto, Japan
2019-20 Traveling and Residence Project: Children in Mother
various parts of Europe, mainly in Finland, Bulgaria, Norway and Switzerland
Residencies
2025 Quebec/Tokyo, Japan artist exchange Centre CLARK, Montreal, Canada
2023 Taohuatan 6th International Artist Retreat and Residency
The Peach Blossom Pool Arts and Holiday Riverside Resort, Taohuatan, Anhui, China
2021–22 Residence and Exhibition Program “Artists in FAS 2021”
Fujisawa City Art Space, Kanagawa, Japan
2019 Exchange Residency Program, University of Lapland and Tokyo University of the Arts
University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
Group Exhibitions
2024–25 What a Wonderful Year L.L. Contemporary, Toronto, Canada
2024 Art Toronto Canada’s Art Fair Represented by L.L. Contemporary
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Canada
2023 Pain & Rebirth Kurame Art Gallery, Hefei, Anhui, China
2022 ISHIBASHI Foundation GEIDAI Oil Painting Department
Traveling Scholarship Exhibition
Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan
2021–22 Residence and Exhibition Program Artists in FAS 2021
Fujisawa City Art Space, Kanagawa, Japan
2021 69th Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation Works Exhibitions
Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan
2019 VALO HIKARI Gallery Valo, Arctic Centre Arktikum, Rovaniemi, Finland
2018 University of Tsukuba School of Art & Design Degree Show 2018
Tsukuba Museum of Art, Ibaraki, Ibaraki, Japan
Awards & Grants
2025 Exchange Residency Program, Tokyo Arts and Space exchange resindency program
2022 NOMURA Foundation
2021 Residence and Exhibition Program Artists in FAS 2021
2019 ISHIBASHI Foundation GEIDAI Oil Painting Department Traveling Scholarship
Education
2021 M.F.A. Tokyo University of the Arts, Oil Painting
2018 B.F.A. University of Tsukuba, School of Art and Design