Kenya Shimizu was born in Fukui Prefecture in Japan, 1976. Kenya Shimizu devoted himself early on to mastering the techniques of his art.  His homo-erotic fantasies (pen and ink) – very much in the Japanese erotic tradition – are brilliant compositions executed with panache and great skill.  His paintings on gold and silver leaf, are masterpieces of watercolour workmanship;  His watercolours of modern Japan – reveal and portray the present-day homo-erotic fantasies of the ‘salarymen’ and students of today’s Japan.   Art from Japan has always had a special significance in the West.  Superb technique, traditional stylization, and wonderful naturalism that comes from acute observation, have always captivated connoisseurs.  Japan’s long history of erotic art has also been of great interest.  Within recent years, one of the leading Japanese practitioners of homo-erotic painting – Sadao Hasegawa – sadly died.  Now a worthy successor has come onto the scene.

Kenya Shimizu possesses superb technical ability; his pen and ink drawings are masterpieces of the traditional formalized style; and, in his watercolours, his acute observation creates striking images.Kenya’s work is published in mainstream Japanese gay magazines.  He receives many commissions.   A book of his work is in preparation.  This is his second exhibition at Adonis Art. Click here to read the interview.