About the artist
As one of Japan’s most important creative minds, Hideo Takeda's work speaks to a global audience. Over his long career, Takeda has inhabited multiple identities and worked with innumerable media. His art is firmly rooted in the creative potential inherent in crossing boundaries and the freedom that comes with the refusal to be categorized. From paintings to illustrations, Hideo Takeda’s artistic output is defined by its persistent flexibility, adaptation, and thrill of surprise. Combining the aesthetics of traditional Japanese prints, western cartoons, and textile patterns, Hideo Takeda’s work is boldly graphic, often surreal, and subtly beautiful. In 1993, Takeda enjoyed a one-man show at the British Museum and today his work can be found in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions worldwide. Born in Osaka in 1948, Hideo Takeda was accepted to the prestigious Tama Art University, where he completed his degree in sculpture. It was his drawings and works on paper, however, that propelled Takeda into the spotlight, and shortly after graduation he received the prestigious Bungei-Shunju Cartoon Award in 1976. Combining the aesthetics of traditional prints, western cartoons, and textile patterns, Hideo Takeda’s prints are startling, boldly graphic, often surreal, and subtly beautiful. After a career of more than forty years, Takeda enjoyed a one-man show at the British Museum and his work can be found in the permanent collections of multiple prestigious institutions.