Usami Kuninori, Cut Apples, 1980s
Oil on canvas
80 x 100 cm, 92 x 102 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good
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Usami Kuninori (Japan, 1929-2014) was born in the Nakano-ward of Tokyo. Throughout his career, he actively participated in exhibitions organised by the Jiyu Bijutsu Kyokai, and also presented works at the Shutai Bijutsu Kyokai. He continued to showcase his works at exhibitions held by the associations until his passing in 2014.
Usami’s paintings carry a sort of charm and are seen to have much potential. As a graduate of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, he worked there as a technical officer. The resurfacing of his artwork today has a striking sense of originality and deep spiritual presence. A lot of qualities in his works stand apart from much of contemporary art in modern times.
His work has been exhibited in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Provenance includes Tsukuba Gallery in Japan, Kato Art Duo Gallery in Singapore, and private collections in Asia.
Filled with imperfect symmetry, this work highlights Usami’s technical precision in form and composition. Featuring hundreds of halved apples—each with varying seed counts and subtle differences—no two are exactly alike. Hypnotic in its use of colour and overlapping forms, the piece quietly underscores a simple truth: no two items of produce are ever the same.
(Photographed in June 2025)