Anthony James (B. 1974) is a London-born, Los Angeles-based artist who graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design with a degree in painting. James is known for his monumental sculptures and installations that embrace Minimalism, Transcendentalism, and Light & Space. In the winter of 2023, James became the first and only visual artist to have work exhibited on all seven continents when he installed one of his stainless steel, glass, and LED Portals at White Desert’s base camp in Antarctica near the South Pole.

“It doesn’t matter what your education level is, what language you speak, what culture you are brought up in, or where you are from,” says James. “My work deals with a universal language based in sacred geometry. It’s innate to everyone on the planet, so it’s an honor to have my work on view in every continent.”

Okuda’s repertoire includes solo shows in galleries, art fairs, museums, and outdoor installations all over the world. His work is sought by collectors and art institutions because of his unique iconographic language, geometric structures, and wide palette of colors. In recent years, strong interest in his work has been arising in Asia, where he has created outstanding public art installations and has collaborated with strong partners such as K11 Art Museums or Bund18. Furthermore, his active participation in major social projects with Coloring the World Foundation - of which he is Honorary President - has made him one of the world’s most recognized and admired artists.

“My work is inspired by surrealism, ancient cultures, popular icons, and the virtual world with a nod to my past as a graffiti writer,” he says. “I try to avoid fixed messages; I prefer to address universal themes. I like to encourage questions instead of giving answers. For me, it’s not the solution that’s important; it’s the path that takes you there.” He continues, “The most special thing about working in the street is transforming new places with color inspired by the people who live there; it is the root of my strong interest in encouraging cultural dialogue.”

Kaneko is increasingly drawn to installations that promote civic interaction, realizing over seventy public art commissions from 1985 to present. Many are large-scale permanent installations that can be seen across the United States and internationally in Toronto, Canada, Shanghai, China, Jakarta, Indonesia, and multiple cities in Japan.

His artwork appears in numerous international and national solo and group exhibitions annually and is included in more than eighty museum collections. Kaneko received Commendation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Master of the Media from the James Renwick Alliance, Gold Medal for Consummate Craftsmanship from the American Craft Council, Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center, and holds honorary doctorates from the University of Nebraska, the Massachusetts College of Art & Design, the Royal College of Art in London, and the University of Pécs in Hungary.

Jun Kaneko’s Tanuki figures are his thoughtful and contemporary interpretation of the Japanese folklore characters. He was initially drawn to creating Tanuki sculptures while visiting Shigaraki, a town which has one of the oldest ceramic traditions in Japan. The Tanuki became the town mascot and an important symbol of their business.

Having traveled to the region several times to work with local ceramic institutions, Jun Kaneko drew inspiration from Shigaraki’s tanuki statues to create his own version of the beloved shapeshifter. His Tanukis stand over 6 feet tall, their forms covered with the artist’s vibrant colors and patterns. Kaneko’s whimsical humor shines through with these pieces, and each one is a unique celebration of a treasured Japanese icon.