Akira Wakui

Born in Nagano Prefecture, I began creating and presenting works as a character illustrator under the name "Akira Waku" in 2001. Stepping into the world of sculptors with my original character figure series "Garbage Heads," I expanded my activities by participating in numerous solo and group exhibitions in both Japan and abroad, including Tokyo, New York, Toronto, Portland, and Beijing. I also engaged in live painting activities on giant canvases at events like Summer Sonic '07, '08, and '09. In 2009, I was responsible for character design for the Atmosphere show "Happy Station" at Universal Studios Japan. Since 2010, I have been actively broadening my horizons as an artist under the name "Akira Wakui," starting with my first solo exhibition in Osaka after a seven-year hiatus, followed by participation in events like ART OSAKA in July and the Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair in November. Additionally, I have been involved in 3D artwork creation for projection mapping videos and other projects since five years ago.

As a YouTuber, I provide expertise on 3D to 2500 subscribers as of 2021. I operate seven courses on Udemy, a leading online learning platform, with a total of 2500 students from 20 countries worldwide. Moreover, I have been creating pottery and clay figurines since 2012, marking my 11th year in 2022.

【Published Works】
- "Anyone Can Do It! Become a 3D Digital Sculptor with ZBrush Core! Beginner's Guide to Figure Sculpting" (Kindle book)
- "ZBrush Basic Guide" Japanese version: Learn the Basics of ZBrush and Start 3DCG Modeling (Kindle book)

【Udemy Online Courses】
Operating seven courses on Udemy, the world's largest online learning site. Offering classes in ZBrush, ZBrushCore, Maya, and more to 1400 students from 19 countries. Particularly since 2020, I've been customizing curricula tailored to schools, individuals, and businesses in Japan to promote and develop remote learning.

【Other】
【Awards and Recognitions】
- Selected as an artist in the FM802 Street Art Audition in April 2001.

【Lecture Activities】
- Gave a presentation on digital sculpture in collaboration with Wacom at the Wonder Festival 2018 Summer in July 2018 at Makuhari Messe, Tokyo.
- Special lecture at the Department of Visual Communication Design, Ritsumeikan University, in October 2018.

【Exhibition Activities】
(See original text for detailed list)

【Costume Design】
- Designed costumes for various shows at Universal Studios Japan, including the Atmosphere show "The Happy Station" in 2009, the Christmas parade "Toy March" in 2013, the Halloween show in 2018, and the Easter show in 2019.

【Projection Mapping Projects】
(See original text for detailed list)

【Contributions】
- Featured in a special section of Weekly Bunshun as a clay figurine artist in June 2018.

【Continued】

AKIRA WAKUI

Born in Nagano, Japan, in January 1976. Currently residing in Kyoto, Japan.

2002 | WAKUI AKIRA'S FIGURE <Private Exhibition>

2002 | FUNKY802 STREET ART EXHIBITION #7 <Participating exhibition> @Osaka

2003 | Tokyo Doll <Competition> Toronto, Canada

2003 | GAISAI-3 <Participating exhibition> @Tokyo, Japan

2004 | Graphics Art HITOTSUBO Exhibition <Competition> @Tokyo, Japan

2004 | digmeout EXHIBITION <Participating exhibition>

2004 | AKIRA WAKUI EXHIBITION IN NY "GYOKUSAIMARU" - <Private Exhibition> @New York

2004 | ZAKKA EXCLUSIVE 2004 HOLIDAY GUIDE <Group Exhibition> @New York

2005 | Return of digmrout exhibition <Participating exhibition> @Portland, USA

2005 | AFFAIR at the Jupiter Hotel <Art fair> @Portland

2006 | TREXI INVADES NYC @New York, USA <Participating exhibition>

2006 | COMPOUND CONCOCTION @Portland, USA <Participating exhibition>

2006 | "eyes on" @Beijing, Shanghai, China <Participating exhibition>

2008 | AKIRA WAKUI solo EXHIBITION @Tokyo, Japan

2009 | Art Plus @Taiwan <Participating exhibition>

2009 | Tokyo contemporary Art fair @Tokyo, Japan

2010 | SOLO EXHIBITION "Pretenders" @OTO gallery, Osaka

2010 | ART OSAKA @Osaka, Japan

2011 | SOLO EXHIBITION "wabinyo-sabinya" @Tokyo, Japan

2012 | ART KYOTO @Kyoto, Japan

2012 | ART OSAKA @Osaka, Japan

2013 | SOLO EXHIBITION "wabinyo-sabinya" @Kyoto, Japan

2013 | Young Art Taipei @Taipei, Taiwan

2013 | ART OSAKA @Osaka, Japan

2014 | SOLO EXHIBITION "wabinyo-sabinya" @Osaka, Japan

2015 | SOLO EXHIBITION "Roll Over Archeology" @Osaka, Japan

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