Artists Statement:

"After the Role"
I did what was deemed excellent in modern society. I pursued purpose rationality, efficiency, and growth. Within that, I acquired logic and structuring, gained knowledge and skills, and wielded them. I achieved results above a certain level. But what awaited me afterward was a hollow sense of powerlessness, self-denial, and emotional collapse.

During my career at Benesse, I encountered the philosophy that “Economics is the servant of culture.” Realizing the impotence of logic and structure, I sought to live within the metaphysical existence of emotion. To continue belonging as a participant within economic society and organizations while simultaneously confronting and expressing my raw self, I began painting at age 50. Recognizing the limitations that rationality, economy, and intellect cannot fulfill, I persistently seek the destination of my primal Japanese sensibility within each motif.

I project emotions that have lost their destination onto landscapes, attempt to express Japan's ancient universal emotions through traditional performing arts like Noh, and strive to express a mental connection with a partner who shares no interests and no language through the sight of horses and equestrianism.

“After the Role” conceptualizes the process of achieving personal salvation through art by ending the performance required to fit into modern society and embracing social nonconformity.

Biography 

Author Name: Kenny R.K. (Ph.D.)

Real Name: Kentaro Kai (born 1972, raised in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture) 

Education: 

1996: Graduated from the Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo 

1998: Completed Master's Program in Forest Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo (M.Sc.)

2002: Completed Master's Program in Economics, University of Michigan (M.A.),  Completed Master's Program in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences  (M.Sc.), 

2014: Earned Doctorate in Health and Welfare Management, Faculty of Health and Welfare Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare (Ph.D.), 

Work Experience and Other Information 

1998-2006: Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)/JICA 

2006-2009: The Boston Consulting Group 

2009-2013: Pharmaceutical company invested in by a PE fund 

2013-2018: Benesse Holdings/Berlitz Japan 

2018–Present: Executive Officer, Independent Domestic Consulting Firm (

Listed on Tokyo Growth Market in 2023) 

Other: Engaged in equestrian sports since 2006; competed in 2023 National Championships 

Awards (Excerpt) 

1980: Gakken National Children's Talent Development Contest - Awarded Chairman's Prize by the Talent Development Education Research Foundation 

2024: Selected for Artcomplex Center of Tokyo's “Art Grand Prize Exhibition” Selected for Ueno Royal Museum's “Painting Japanese Landscapes Exhibition”

Publications

 2024: “Artists of Today and Tomorrow 5” (Italy)  “World Art Guide 2025” (Sweden)

 2025: “la TOSCANA nouva” (Italy)

Group Exhibition History (Excerpt) 

2024: Artcomplex Center of Tokyo “Art Grand Prix Exhibition”, Tokyo

Ueno Royal Museum “Painting Japan's Nature Exhibition”, Tokyo 

European Museum of Modern Art “Beyond Borders”, Barcelona 

Carrousel du Louvre “Art Shopping Paris”, Paris “Art San Diego”, San Diego 

2025: “ARTEXPO”, New York

Independent Tokyo 2025, Tokyo 

Kakuenji Temple Special Exhibition, Kamakura 

2026: 195×Global project, Selected as Japan representative, Switzerland 

Ginza Gallery Art Point “Selected Exhibition of Mental Landscapes”, Tokyo 

(Many others)