Chiyu Uemae

Untitled, 1994, Limited Edition of 20, Screenprint by Chiyu Uemae

1994

Chiyu Uemae (1920 – 2018) was a Japanese abstract artist born in Kyoto. He is particularly noted for his involvement as a founding member of the influential Gutai Art Association, a radical avant-garde art collective formed in 1954 under the leadership of Jiro Yoshihara. Uemae participated in every Gutai exhibition until the group's dissolution in 1972. Uemae's artistic journey was unique; he was a self-taught artist who held various jobs, including an apprentice at a traditional dyeing factory in Kyoto, which profoundly influenced his artistic approach. His early experiences, particularly in dyeing, led to a mature style characterized by meticulous compositions often featuring fine dots, patterns, and textile elements. Unlike some of his Gutai peers known for performance-based works, Uemae focused on the materiality of art, often creating compellingly rough surface textures by combining unconventional materials like sawdust, wood chips, and debris with paint. His two-dimensional works are recognized for their pattern accumulation, achieved through painting knives or delicate stitching, and he also produced sculptures from wood or sawdust. In later years, he continued to create etchings and silkscreens. Uemae's work often combined traditional Japanese colors and sensibilities with an original abstract style. He remained active and continued producing art well into his 80s and 90s.