Location: 2277 Monitor Street, Dallas, Texas, 75207
Galleri Urbane is pleased to announce an upcoming solo exhibition by Japanese artist Shinya Azuma, opening August 22, 2026. Presented in collaboration with Cohju Gallery, who represents the artist worldwide, Shinya will be an artist-in-residence at the Augustus Owen Foundation where he will create artworks for the exhibition. This marks the second collaboration between the two galleries, following a joint presentation at the ACK Art Fair in Kyoto. It also marks Shinya's first solo show with Galleri Urbane – fresh off a successful showing at Art Basel Hong Kong and the launch of his new monograph and solo show that opened in Tokyo, July 2026.
Shinya's work is deeply inspired by his immediate surroundings, as well as current political and social climates. During the residency, Shinya will travel around DFW for inspiration; from local museums, visiting small towns, to the Fort Worth Stockyards and rodeos, it all culminates with Galleri Urbane hosting a solo show on the 22nd! Mark your calendars and join us to meet the artist from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Coming right off the energy of the recent World Cup games, it will be fascinating to see how he interprets his environment here.
About the Artist
Shinya Azuma makes a sketch of images inspired by the news programmes or sceneries in daily life through his experience, and remakes it on canvas with bold brush strokes. Azuma’s simple paintings with peculiar color usage and dynamic texture of the medium have quirkiness somehow, and vigor which stops us to see the picture.
The themes of the works range from some well-timed serious issues such as the wealth inequality or protests all over the world to personal sexual experiences, but they all capture different aspects of humanity. Like memes on the social media, the distinctive type of humour which can be both of the satire and the self-deprecating sarcasm is one of the attractions on his works.
Shinya Azuma was born in Osaka in 1994, and currently based in Kyoto, Japan. Azuma received his M.F.A in Contemporary Art from Kyoto University of Art and Design. Azuma’s works have been exhibited in galleries across Japan, including a special section for young artists at Sydney Contemporary (2019). Notable collections include the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art, Takahashi Ryutaro Collection, Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection, sequence MIYASHITA PARK, and the Bao Room.
About the Foundation
Based in Dallas, Texas, the Augustus Owen Foundation advances cross-cultural dialogue through the arts and social sciences. The Foundation collaborates with museums, galleries, universities, and cultural organizations to develop exhibitions, artist residencies, public programs, and educational initiatives that foster international exchange and meaningful cultural engagement.
