KYNE

Who is KYNE?

Born in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1988, KYNE began his artistic journey around 2006 in his hometown. At University, KYNE explored ceramics, drawing, sculpture, and oil painting but ultimately majored in traditional Japanese painting (Nihonga). Via pop culture and hip hop, street art and graffiti would have an enduring influence on KYNE. Even while studying more traditional techniques at university, he was a practising graffiti artist. The contrast between the two styles—the laboured, time-intensive traditional techniques vs. the fast, quick, public and gritty—played a significant role in shaping his artistic style.

What is KYNE’s art style?

KYNE’s art is characterised by minimalistic depictions of young women, rendered in the clean, smooth, cartoon-like lines and flat colour afforded by printing processes like silk-screen. The artist draws inspiration from 1980s idols and cartoons, Manga art masters like Hisashi Eguchi, and references the distinct pop art stylistics of Andy Warhol, Julian Opie, and Roy Lichtenstein. This balancing act between contemporary, retro, and traditional influences embeds a timelessness into the images produced.

Collaborations

In 2019, KYNE met Takashi Murakami, leading to a collaboration between the two artists. The subsequent prints juxtapose KYNE’s serene portraits against backgrounds featuring Murakami’s idiosyncratic smiling floral backgrounds. The collaborative works were unveiled at KYNE’s solo exhibition at Kaikai Kiki Gallery in Tokyo in 2021. The exhibition showcased these collaborative prints, as well as individual works by KYNE.

Where has KYNE exhibited?

KYNE has been the subject of both solo and group exhibitions.​ A major milestone in the artist’s career, KYNE held a solo exhibition titled ADAPTATION – KYNE in his hometown at the Fukuoka Art Museum from April to June 2024. The exhibition marked his first large-scale solo showing in Japan, featuring works that span from his early career to his latest creations, offering a comprehensive insight into his artistic evolution. ​

Solo exhibitions include:​

• KYNE Kaikai Kiki, Kaikai Kiki Gallery, Tokyo (9 April–28 April 2021)
• KYNE, Portrait of the Girls, Pinto Gallery, Los Angeles (1 January–11 August 2024)
• KYNE_, ADAPTATION_, Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka (20 April–30 June 2024)

Group exhibitions include:​

• Healing, Perrotin, Shanghai (5 February–20 March 2021) ​

How does KYNE’s art perform on the art market?

KYNE’s works are regularly featured on the auction market. In 2024, several of KYNE’s paintings and prints were included in Phillips Auction’s Dropshop and PhillipsX sales, marking one of the first collaborations for the artist outside of Japan.

The record price for one of KYNE’s works sold at auction is USD 287,644 for an untitled piece sold at SBI Art in 2021.

Articles on KYNE

Articles on KYNE have been published in various publications, including, an interview with Astsushi Takayama in Tokion Magazine, on the event of his 2021 exhibition at Kaikai Kiki gallery.

KYNE on Instagram

KYNE’s Instagram account is accessible here.​

Hazel Ellis | Ocula | 2025