What can you do in the gallery?
Since establishing its gallery in 2001 in Tokyo, Ginza, gallery UG has developed various art projects based on its own personal values.
In 2011, the gallery relocated to Bakurocho, Nihonbashi and began its full scale expansion of their primary artists internationally. Through actively participating in art fairs overseas as well as solo and group exhibitions from patterned galleries, gallery UG has worked to build the international branding of its represented artists.
In September 2020, gallery UG Tennoz opened as the flagship gallery on the 2nd floor of TERRADA ART COMPLEX Ⅱin Tennoz. Acting as a platform to showcase the appeal and expression that center around three dimensional art pieces, the gallery hosts dynamic solo exhibitions as well as special exhibitions year round.
Additionally, in February 2024 the first gallery in the Kansai region, gallery UG Osaka Umeda opened on the 11th floor of Daimaru Umeda. And in August 2025, the first Kyushu region gallery, gallery UG Fukuoka opened on the 5th floor of the east building of Daimaru Fukuoka Tenshin. By expanding locations in Japan, gallery UG continues to broaden the promotion of its artists.
(Currently the Bakurocho and Umeda locations are closed)
In addition, the gallery operates two dedicated studios for its represented artists, providing production support as well as creating opportunities for artist development and exchange. Through various promotions, gallery UG proposes a new image of what a gallery can be, aiming to further enrich and expand the field of contemporary art.
History
We would like to share with you the history of galleryUG, which has been in business since 2001 and has always been making great strides.
- 1989
- Founded "Art Life Agency", with the aim of becoming one that connects life and art.
Started activities as a comprehensive art consultant, which later forms current UG.
- 2000
- Organized an art competition with more than 1,000 pieces in Ginza.
- 2001
- Opened a roadside gallery space in Ginza 8-chome.
Started artist discovery and branding through regular exhibition activities in our own space. At the same time, dealing with contemporary secondary artworks, mainly Yayoi KUSAMA.
- 2008
- Launched overseas promotion and began cultivating and discovering exclusive artists and branding them overseas based on a long-term strategy.
Attended many art fairs in East Asia
- 2010
- Holding in-house exhibitions in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea
- 2011
- Moved from Ginza to Nihonbashi area and changed the gallery name to gallery UG.
Shifted our activities to focus on young artists.
- 2014
- Hold our 15th anniversary exhibition at the Ueno Royal Museum.
Begin promotion in Singapore, which at the time was the fastest-growing economy and contemporary art market in Asia.
- 2015
- At Christie's Fine Art Storage Services Viewing Space in Singapore, collaborated exhibition of sculptures by Yayoi KUSAMA from our collection and Kunihiko NOHARA, our exclusive artist.
Commemorative exhibition at LUXE ART MUSEUM, Singapore
- 2016
- Began participating in Art Fair Tokyo (and annually thereafter) and other art fairs in Japan.
- 2017
- Solo exhibition of our principal artist Kunihiko NOHARA at the Ueno Royal Museum,Tokyo
- 2018
- Kunihiko NOHARA solo exhibition at the largest booth at ART FAIR TOKYO
Kunihiko Nohara's solo exhibition at ART ATRIUM at Ginza Tsutaya Books in GINZA SIX of its second year of operation.
- 2019
- Organized Art Expo Malaysia, Japan Pavilion and became the main of the participating Japanese galleries.
- 2020
- Opened a flagship gallery at TERRADA ART COMPLEX, where leading galleries are gathered.
Opened "Studio MOKU" for a communal art studio where our exclusive artists works.
Begins full-scale activities in the U.S. and Europe, including participation in art fairs in New York and Basel.
Begins actively planning, proposing, and producing collaborations with contemporary art in order to preserve Japan's traditional crafts.
- 2021
- After a hiatus from overseas activities due to the pandemic of COVID-19, participated in domestic department store events to develop domestic activities.
Kyo-Yuzen's collaborative work and contemporary art exhibited at Nijo Castle, Kyoto, a World Heritage Site.
- 2022
- Planning and proposing events dedicated exclusively to primary contemporary art in department stores, the main market for Japanese art, and taking the lead in selecting and managing galleries.
(From 2022 - Touring Daimaru Matsuzakaya department stores nationwide)
- 2023
- Opened UG showroom at Mother, an advertising agency in New York (ongoing exhibition).
Established a company in the Macau Special Administrative Region and began working with the Macau government to promote art content.
- 2024
- gallery UG Osaka Umeda opened on the 11th floor of the Daimaru Umeda Department Store in February.
First gallery to be set up in the Kansai area.
- 2025
- This marks gallery UG’s first permanent gallery space in the Kyushu region.
