Solo exhibition in Florence
Between Sky and Sea
The Ego as Horizon
26 September to 3 October 2026
- Where
- Palazzo Bellini
Lungarno Soderini 3, Florence - Dates
- 26 September to 3 October 2026
- Opening
- Saturday 26 September, 4 PM
32 paintings. Four rooms. One story, from the depths of the sea toward the open sky. Organised by OASI Art Exhibitions.
Stories from the studio
The whales are painted dot by dot, the herons feather by feather. Short films from YUUKI's own channel.
About
YUUKI
A Japanese artist born in 2012, whose paintings explore solitude, hope, and the search for freedom.
Working primarily with acrylic on canvas, YUUKI creates dreamlike worlds where whales move through deep blue waters, herons rise toward open skies, and flowers emerge as quiet signs of change and hope.
His ongoing series, Between Sea and Sky, reflects the emotional journey from isolation and restriction toward light, possibility, and freedom.
Rather than telling a story with a single conclusion, YUUKI’s paintings leave space for viewers to find their own emotions and meanings within them.
Artist statement
Between Sea and Sky
My paintings begin with feelings that are difficult to put into words. Loneliness, restriction, the desire to escape, and the small hope that remains even in darkness.
In my work, the sea often represents a world where freedom feels distant. Whales move quietly through its depths, searching for light above them.
As the story develops, the heron appears. It looks upward, waits, and eventually moves toward the open sky.
Flowers also appear throughout my paintings, sometimes quietly, sometimes in full bloom, representing moments of hope and change.
Between Sea and Sky is a journey from silence toward freedom.
I do not want my paintings to tell viewers exactly what to feel. I hope each person can stand before them and discover their own story between the sea and the sky.
Exhibitions
From Venice to Florence
YUUKI’s works have been exhibited in Venice, Paris, Rome, New York and Milan. In autumn 2026 his solo exhibition Between Sea and Sky opens at Palazzo Bellini in Florence, followed by shows in Milan and Barcelona.
- UpcomingOrganizer: Virago Gallery · Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc
- UpcomingOrganizer: Divulgarti · Curatorial direction: Loredana Trestin · Spazio Tommasi
- Solo exhibition“Between Sea and Sky”Curator: Loredana Trestin · Palazzo Bellini
- Iconica Gallery
- Organizer: FlyerArt · Medina
- Organizer: Mriya / The Holy Art
- JAPONICAOrganizer: Reijinsha Co., Ltd. (Japan)
- Organizer: Divulgarti
- “DreamArs”, sixth editionOrganizer: Art Space · Museum of Art and Science
- “L’Altra Metà del Cielo… e Oltre”Organizer: Divulgarti · Casa Internazionale delle Donne
Awards & Recognition
- Special PrizeNojimazaki Lighthouse Reconstruction 100th Anniversary Art Competition, Japan2025
- Itakura Hiro Shoten PrizeFish Art Competition, Japan2025
- SelectedTARA Poster Concours, Fondation Tara Océan / agnès b., Japan2025, 2022
- Bronze Prize11th GS Yuasa Elementary School ECO Art Competition, Japan2020
- Toyota Mirai AwardTokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Art Competition, Japan2020
- Bronze Prize14th Children’s Painting Competition, Japan Building Maintenance Association2020
- Selected Four TimesDOCOMO Mirai Museum Art Competition, NTT DOCOMO, Japan2019–2022
Contact
Ask about a painting
For availability and inquiries about the works, write using the form. Every message goes directly to the artist’s studio and receives a personal reply.
Each work shows its price in euros. Paintings are shipped from Japan, stretched on their frames and carefully packed: tell us your country and you will receive the shipping cost before you decide. You can also ask about the series, the exhibitions, or anything else.