ADF Art Gallery Project Vol.31 Eri Uemura “Picking up My Bones” Exhibition

ADF (NPO Aoyama Design Forum) is pleased to present "Picking up My Bones" as the ADF Art Gallery Project Vol.31, featuring the solo exhibition of artist Eri Uemura that uses motifs of the wild, the body, and time and space to present emotions and impulses that oscillate on the borderline between these elements. The exhibition will be held from January 24 (Fri.) to February 7 (Fri.), 2025.

The "Picking up My Bones" series, ongoing since 2016, masterfully depicts the primal wildness and desires emanating from our living bodies' corporeal realities. The imagery of a figure selecting fragments from decayed remains evokes both the fragility of human existence and the preparation for a transition to the next world. This profound narrative reflects the tension between our innate "wildness" and the "education" that shapes societal norms—forces that often drive us toward surreal or unconscious realms.

The striking contrast between a young, innocent girl and a skeletal figure recalls the medieval European maxims of "Memento Mori" (Remember Death) and "Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day). Throughout art history, the visualization of life and death has been a recurring theme that continues to resonate in the modern era. Uemura captures this collective psychological shift while presenting her unique perspective on the concept of finality.

In an age where advances in science and medicine marginalize death, Uemura's works vividly bring it to the forefront, compelling us to reflect on the inherent contradictions of modern life. The colorful interplay between the girl and the skeleton creates a unique aesthetic that highlights the ephemerality of life and the essence of human existence.

Artist Profile: Eri Uemura
Born in 1986, Hiroshima Prefecture
2010 Graduated from Onomichi City University, Faculty of Arts and Culture, Oil Painting
2010〜2011 Resided in London, UK
2014 Completed Master's Course in Oil Painting, Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts