Kirico Ueda
We were immediately fascinated by artist Kirico Ueda, whose work explores theatre, mythology, and folklore within mediums of photography and ceramics. Her small delicately crafted sculptures breathe life through their quirky stances and antique referenced colour pallets. With her large-scale print-like photographs dominating the room. Kirico's work explores symbolism and childhood memories through mythology, folklore, and plays. Her love of storytelling and allegory’s present in the personalities of the characters she creates. The combination of mediums creates a dreamy setting, a nostalgic mix of old and newfound fascinations within Japanese and European history. Curating a theatrical otherworldly setting, full of intriguing playful characters and crafted with love.
I am a Japanese artist currently based in London, working with various mediums including photography, sculpture, puppetry and printmaking. I moved to London to study BA in Fashion Communication and Promotion at Central Saint Martins, from which I graduated in 2019. My practice is often based on human allegories, symbolism and memories explored through mythologies, folktales and plays.
Research is usually an important part of my process, and I often take a long time doing the research. My memories, especially from childhood also have a huge influence on my creative process, alongside my collection of small objects and ephemera.
My work often takes a playful form and I experiment with different mediums. When I created shadow puppets for an installation for example, they later turned into a series of cyanotype prints, then into a book, and then into parts of paintings. I usually create artwork in series because I can get more into the subject that way.
do you have a favourite?
Currently photography and sculpture. It changes depending on the subject and the phase I'm in.
I would love to try moving images. I have always been interested in creating a short film or a stop motion using my puppets and sculptures, but I haven't had a chance to try yet.
There are endless places to list, but Deptford market where you find the most unexpected treasures, the Thames, Pho Hanoi in Deptford with the best Vietnamese food that I’ve ever had, Bloomsbury and Soho to walk around without plans.
I am currently working on a collection of ceramic sculptures that are based on a story from Grimm’ fairy tales. Ceramic is a new medium for me and lam excited to explore the possibilities it brings to my practice. I also have a potential group show in London later this year which would be exciting.
