Digital Media Artist

KAGAYA YUTAKA

  A Japanese digital fine artist. Born in 1968, he has created artworks relating to the universe including CG animation pictures, digital prints, posters, illustrations for astronomical books and magazines.

     The main themes of his work are the universe, the blue planet, and humankind as a part of the universe --- their dreams and yearnings. His artistry and scientific accuracy enable him to embody the beauty that integrates all the elements of the universe.

     His constellation pictures are made into jigsaw puzzles, which are gaining popularity around the world.Known for painting elaborately detailed and spectacularly colored images. His images often include elements with a luminous quality. Some of his favorite subjects are astronomy and visions of utopian worlds.Among his most famous works are Celestial Exploring,Galactic Railroad,and Starry Tales.

    Born in Saitama (just north of Tokyo) in 1968, Kagaya spent his childhood in wonderment of the stars in the sky, and never stopped painting them. He has had a successful career as an illustrator for astronomical books and magazines, and many of his works have been turned into jigsaw puzzles, among other products. Since 1996, he has worked exclusively in the digital medium, using a Macintosh. Perhaps that is why he does not appear to sign his pictures. He goes by his family name; his given name appears to be Yutaka, but in English you will also find him called Joh Kagaya (Jô is the Chinese reading of his name).

   From his early childhood, KAGAYA was fascinated by the starry sky, drawing many pictures of the stars and learning astronomy by himself.1984 In his student times, he became truly interested in use of computers while wishing to become either an astronomer or an illustrator.In 1990 Graduated from the Graphic Design Department at Tokyo Designer Gakuin College. His fantasy vision of all the constellations “Fantastic Starry Night” received the Top Academy Award and became a best-seller as a poster.

   He continued creating artworks, joining astronomical precision of the details with enchanting space fantasy visions.In 1991 Published an illustrated guide “Constellations of the Four Seasons”. He started putting into practice his ideas of using computer in his painting process.Meanwhile in 1993 he providesCG for “The Universe” by Fujii Akira, KAGAYA presented a variety of artworks of constellations and astronomical objects, which appeared in specialized astronomy books and monthly magazines, products including jigsaw puzzles and exhibitions at the National Astronomical Observatory and other planetariums.

    In 1995 Completed his epoch-making painting process “Digital Painting” in which an artwork is made up by working on computers all the way through.In 1997 Launched “Celestial Exploring” series focused on the eternal motive of the space and people of the Earth.Then in 1999, he Created “The Zodiac” series inspired by the myths of ancient Greece. 

   In 2000 Using new possibilities given by the computer technology, he continued creating works in hyper-realistic style, filled with light and radiant colors of inimitable beauty.Exhibitions of KAGAYA’s art in 2001 were held all across Japan. “KAGAYA Studio Inc.” was established.In 2002 Created “Tranquil Night of Stars” series inspired by constellations that can be seen in the Japanese sky at different times of the year.Meanwhile in 2003 he created “The Celestial Railroad” series inspired by an immortal literary work written by Kenji Miyazawa. Published a book of paintings "Starry Tales”.

For his outstanding contribution to astronomy and art, he received a special honour – a star 11949 was named “Kagayayutaka” in his honor.In 2004 For the first time in human history he witnessed a solar eclipse in Antarctica. He started to expand his overseas activity commencing with a press-conference in Beijing, and also started making jewellery design.

    In 2005 he published a book of paintings “Celestial Exploring”. Worked in earnest in production of a full dome CG planetarium show “The Celestial Railroad”.And Then in2006 the planetarium show “The Celestial Railroad” screened in Sunshine Starlight Dome Manten. The show attracted exceptionally great number of audiences as a planetarium show, recorded around 90,000 people attending.

    The planetarium show “The Celestial Railroad” in 2007 were screened all across Japan and gained great popularity. The show was translated into Chinese and presented in Beijing, and attracted great interest of the people. The Shanghai Bank adopted “The Zodiac” Series as a cover design for debit cards. While exhibitions all across Japan, international exhibitions in Shanghai and Taipei were held.

      In2008 “The Celestial Railroad” in Large Film format was released.The worldwide distribution of the full-dome show “The Celestial Railroad” was announced at the International Planetarium Society Conference in Chicago.A special exhibition “The Celestial Railroad and KAGAYA’s art” was held at Kansai Airport. “The Celestial Railroad” for the ride-simulation system was presented.KAGAYA’s exhibitions and lectures took place in planetariums not only in Japan but also in Shenzhen (China) and Seoul (Korea).He was invited for a premier of “The Celestial Railroad” in Athens (Greece).

      In 2009 he published a book of painting “The Celestial Railroad”.A traveling exhibition “KAGAYA’s Astronomical Art” in Taiwan kicked off. The exhibition “KAGAYA’s Astronomical Art” was held at Gwacheon National Science Museum in Korea.A planetarium show “Straight into the Universe” (CG / Production Supervision by KAGAYA) was released. Puzzles in a ball shape (globe / planets) were launched in time for the International Year of Astronomy, and the puzzles became a big hit.

     The planetarium show “The Celestial Railroad” in 2010 reached a million audiences in total in Japan.Photo exhibitions of photographs shot by KAGAYA were held in Tokyo and Osaka.In South Australia he succeeded in taking photographs of the Hayabusa asteroid probe during atmospheric entry.He started producing a planetarium show “Tale of the Stars: Eternal Shine” with musician Himekami and artist Takaki.

      He helds a lot of exhibitions and lectures that started in 2007 across the whole asia such as Shanghai International Film Festival (China), Beijing Planetarium (China). Taipei Astronomical Museum (Taiwan), and Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts (China). Meanwhile in Japan. He started at Fukushima City 100 Jubilee Festival (Fukushima), Printemps Ginza (Tokyo), Hamamatsu Science Museum (Shizuoka prefecture), Akashi Municipal Planetarium (Akashi), Kobe Science Museum (Kobe), Asutamuland (Tokushima), Denryokukan (Tokyo) Iide Municipal Centre (Yamagata preference) and Azumagoya (Fukushima) among others.

      Meanwhile in 2008 his exhibitions helds at Shenzhen International Culture and Industry Exhibition (China), Seoul Anime Fair SICAF (South Korea), and Seoul Gyeonggi Digital Contents Development Institute (South Korea)In Japan the exhibition were held at Itabashi Science & Education Hall (Tokyo), Atsugi Children Science Museum (Kanagawa prefecture), Hamagin Children Space Science Museum (Yokohama), Toyota Hands-On Museum (Aichi prefecture), Yokkaichi Municipal Museum (Mie prefecture), Munakata Yurix Planetarium (Fukuoka prefecture) and Ageo-minami Junior High School (Saitama prefecture).

Below are his artwork:

         ZODIAC

CELESTRIAL EXPLORING