This journey begins with the coincidental sound match of "uma" (horse) and "UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal)." The artist has been in Shiraoi since October 2025, continuing his creative activities and preparing for this exhibition, drawing inspiration from Shiraoi's culture, environment, and various encounters. Sensing the humidity of the sea, the chill of the wind, the warmth of the horses, and his encounters with people, he searches for forms that can only be born in this land. Moving between abstraction and concreteness, reality and dream, he creates "unidentified landscapes." A place where people and nature, reality and fantasy blend together—from that breath, a new life called UMA is born.

⚫︎ Writer

Jiachen Jin

Originally from China, he currently resides in Aichi Prefecture. He completed his Master's in Oil Painting and Printmaking at the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music. He paints the sensations that arise in everyday life and emotions that have settled in the body as an "archive of emotions." He soaks unprimed cotton fabric with water and paint, capturing the moment when layers of memories and emotions that are yet to be put into words emerge in the randomness of the bleeding.
He has held solo exhibitions including "An elephant in my heart" (Shanghai), "Running Beast" and "Mama, there is a little elephant in my heart" (Tokyo), and "Salted Your Shadow" (Nagoya). He also participated in the Artist in Residence Program "ASP" in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where he stayed and created his work.

Instagram: @doudou_kin / X: @doudou0920



⚫︎ Shizuka Mitsui

Born in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, and currently living in Tokyo. Graduated from the Master's program in Oil Painting at the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. A painter. A world of freedom! Forests where beautiful horses live, pure white clouds, delicious che... images just keep coming! Major solo exhibitions include "CLinc.'s Crazy World Tour" (2025, Azabudai Hills) and "MON SEUL DÉSIR" (2024, Gallery SIDE2). Major group exhibitions include "Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art Collection Exhibition" (2021, Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art).

Instagram: @shizuka_mitsui / Website: shizukamitsui.com