Manar Elbaz

DUBAI: Japanese artist Yusuke Kuriki and French artist Vincent Ruffin will showcase their work in a one-of-a-kind exhibition in Tokyo titled ‘Shindo’ starting June 21.

Supported by the Embassy of France in Japan, ‘Shindo,’ which translates to ‘vibration’ in English, will display the artists’ majestic paintings, transporting guests to a mesmerizing world filled with colors and emotions. 

“I think this exhibition will bring people to a dreamy and almost hypnotic world,” Kuriki told Arab News Japan. “Shindo in Japanese means vibration, and in science that means energy. So, I would love for people to come out of the show finding new energy.”

Ruffin echoed the Japanese artist’s words, saying, “I designed the exhibition as a sensory journey between dream and reality, where each piece invites self-reflection.”

“The word Shindo resonated with me immediately. It reflects what I aim to convey in my paintings: silent but powerful emotion, something that moves you without needing explanation,” he added.

While the two artists’ painting techniques differ, their intention is similar—creating abstract spaces that evoke emotions.

“Kuriki’s minimalism offers a balance to my more symbolic, narrative work. Together, I think our pieces can create a rich dialogue and invite layered interpretations,” Ruffin told Arab News Japan.

“I hope the exhibition lets the audience feel something. Even if it’s small. Even if they don’t know what it is,” Kuriki added.

Both artists focus on highlighting the hidden parts of people’s identities. “I’m not interested in defining identity, but in what lies beyond it: the dynamic and lively force. I’ve always admired Surrealism—not just as an art movement, but as a timeless human impulse to express what we can’t fully see or say,” Kuriki shared.

Born and raised in Tokyo, Kuriki grew up surrounded by immigrants, as his grandmother was Korean. “Until high school, I grew up in a small international community in Tokyo surrounded by immigrant and expat families, which gave me a multicultural perspective from an early age,” he shared.

His grandmother played a massive part in his life, as their trip to Paris was the beginning of his artistic journey.

“My love for art began when my Korean grandmother took me to Paris as a teenager. Standing in front of Baroque sculptures, I was completely overwhelmed by the power of seeing art,” he shared.

He added, “For me, creating art feels like chasing after something just out of grasp — the capacity of an image to bypass language and culture, and to reveal something we didn’t know we were carrying. In a time when attention is fractured and the meaning of art is constantly questioned, I find that very uncertainty energizing.”

The exhibition marks Kuriki’s first time showcasing his works alongside another artist.

“I’ve spent almost half a year creating the body of work for this show so I feel very excited that I am finally able to show my work,” the Japanese artist said.

Additionally, ‘Shindo’ marks the French artist’s first time exhibiting in Japan. “I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture— its refinement, artistic sensibility, and depth,” he reflected. 

“Showing my work there is both a dream and a challenge. I’m eager to see how my art will resonate with such a thoughtful and sensitive audience,” he added.

Both artists have never exhibited the works in the Middle East but expressed their desire to.

“I would love to do an exhibition in Saudi Arabia one day. It has such a rich history in art and culture, and I have a lot of respect for the contemporary art scene there. I’m especially fascinated by installation works by artists like Zahrah Al Ghamdi, who uses material of her heritage to explore the metaphysical,” Kuriki said.

The exhibition is taking place until July 5 at UltraSuperNew KURA.