Close
The 52th artist room was created by artist ABEYUKA. The production is completed on April, 2026.
Room #3429 | Completion Date: 2026.04
The theme of this room is “Conveyor Belt Sushi”.
” Across a rainbow that circles the entire space, pieces of sushi race and dance joyfully around the room.
While sushi rolls are widely enjoyed overseas, the true star of Japanese sushi culture is nigiri (sushi roll) —a form that draws out the pure essence of each ingredient with utmost restraint. In this room, minimalist traditional beauty travels freely across time and space.
・Above the bed: Edo in the 1820s, where nigiri sushi was first born.
・On the side walls: A near future where robots serve sushi to extraterrestrials.
・On the TV wall: A distant ancient era—perhaps a time when a sushi god once created sushi through magic.
・Near the window: The present day in which we live. Godzilla sprays soy sauce, Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower rise high, and the scene seamlessly connects to the real-world view of Hamarikyu Gardens just beyond the window.
In the 1950s, the age of mass consumption and a fascination with high technology accelerated worldwide, dramatically transforming food culture. While efficiency and speed were pursued through drive-ins and drive-throughs in the West, Japan gave birth to conveyor belt sushi. Sushi was placed on factory-like conveyor belts and automatically delivered to customers—a truly revolutionary idea. While the West sought efficiency by making people and cars move faster, the Japanese chose instead to make sushi itself move.
The Japanese are sincere, hardworking—and in the best possible sense, a little crazy. That is why Japan is filled with such unique and fascinating culture. I find beauty in this unconventional passion that defies common sense. Together with the sushi running across the rainbow, please enjoy the unique and pop spirit of Japan.
A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts with both a BFA and MFA in Oil Painting, ABEYUKA. explores the roots of human desire and existence through a wide range of media, from oil paintings to large-scale balloon installations. She was a 2015–2016 grantee of the Japanese Government’s program for emerging artists in New York, where she remained based until 2022. Her accolades include the Special Award at the 20th Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art (TARO Award), the 22nd Holbein Scholarship, and the Koji Kinutani Prize at THE World ART EXHIBITION. Currently operating across Tokyo, New York, and Taiwan, she continues to expand her artistic presence on a global scale.
EDUCATION
• 2011 MFA in Oil Painting, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan
• 2009 BFA in Oil Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS & RESIDENCIES
• 2024 Pentel First Artist Ambassador, Pentel Co., Ltd.
• 2015–2016 Program of Overseas Study for Emerging Artists (New York), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (New York Resident 2015–2022)
• 2007 The 22nd Holbein Scholarship, Holbein Art Materials Inc.
AWARDS
• 2017 Special Award, The 20th Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art (TARO Award)
• 2013 Koji Kinutani Prize, THE World ART EXHIBITION
• 2012 Selected Artist (Solo Exhibition), TWS-Emerging, Tokyo Wonder Site (current TOKAS)
• 2011 Selected Artist, Tokyo Wonder Wall
• 2010, 2013 Selected Artist (Collection/Exhibition), Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program
• 2009, 2013 Selected Artist, Dokuritsu Exhibition
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
• 2024 Do Drama!, B-gallery, Tokyo
• 2023 NEW POP, NEW DEEP, Seaside Gallery, Pingtung, Taiwan
• 2023 I am an Alien!, Park Hotel Tokyo, Tokyo
• 2022 Eat Pizza at The End of The World, B-gallery, Tokyo
• 2019 The World Conspiracy, Gould Academy, Bethel, Maine, USA
• 2016 Be god., Tenri Cultural Institute of New York, New York, USA
• 2015 World, Kneel Before Me, Chiba Bank Himawari Gallery, COREDO Muromachi, Tokyo
• 2012 A World of Desire, Tokyo Wonder Site Hongo (current TOKAS), Tokyo
• 2011 The New World, The Pepper’s Gallery, Tokyo
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS & PUBLIC ART
• 2025 Yo!Yo-yo!! (Balloon Installation), New Taipei City Government, Taiwan
• 2025 Deerabbit (Balloon) & EAT ART (FRP Sculpture), Changhua County Government, Taiwan
• 2024 The Octopus (Balloon), Pingtung County Government, Taiwan
• 2024 The Wonderland of Underwater, Hayata Hotel (Guest Room), Pingtung, Taiwan
• 2023 The H”a”ngry Rabbit (Balloon) & Be the Butterfly (FRP Sculpture), Pingtung County Government, Taiwan
• 2009 Self-Portrait, Tokyo University of the Arts Museum, Tokyo
• 2009 Life, Matsunoi Hotel, Minakami, Gunma
Current Activity:
Based in Tokyo, New York, and Taiwan, ABEYUKA is currently expanding her artistic presence to a global scale.
More information:
Website: https://abeyukatheartist.wixsite.com/yukaabe
Instagram: @abeyuka_the_artist