ARTIST PROFILE

Nishijima Yuji

西島雄志
[ Japan ]

MESSAGE

I am fascinated by the existence and presence that people inherently possess.

I sense something that fills the space and seek to give it form. From that shaped form, I then recreate the surrounding space. The light that passes through this form allows me to visualize the presence itself.

At the same time, I reflect on existence and presence through the lens of time. Each twist and bend of copper wire represents moments of my own time carefully invested in shaping it. By embodying this accumulation of time in physical form, I weave the concept of time directly into my work.

By compelling the visual presence and the world born from accumulated time to coexist, I create a layered spatial structure that challenges how we perceive phenomena.

Recently, in exploring existence and presence, I have been drawn to the motif of “god.” I have come to understand this “god” as another way to express what humans perceive as a sixth sense.

PROFILE

Nishijima Yuji [Japan]

Born in Kanagawa, Japan in 1969, he graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1995 with a degree in sculpture.
He has been exhibiting sculptures and installations of swirled copper wire parts connected together, using animals closely related to mythology as subjects.
In 2021, he moved his base to Gunma, where he runs gallery newroll, and in 2024, he will organize Art Fair NAKANOJO.
His major exhibitions include “Zui-shou : Time Accumulation” (Pola Museum Annex, 2023), “Nakanojo Biennale” (Gunma, 2011 - 2023), “Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Art Selection” (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 2021), and “Akagi SUNdo” (Gunma, 2022),Pre-BIWAKO Biennale (2022 Nijo Castle, Kyoto),Fuji Biennale (2024, Shizuoka),Setouchi Triennale(2025, Kagawa).

PREVIOUS WORKS