Ryuya Kimura
RYUYA KIMURA
November 21 (Sat) – December 4 (Fri), 2026
NEW is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Ryuya Kimura.
Drawing on approximately 25 years of experience working with textiles, Ryuya Kimura explores the process through which materials transcend their original functions and meanings, transforming into new forms of existence. His practice encompasses a diverse range of expressions, from two-dimensional works using fabric as a support to three-dimensional works that take shape in space.
Layering, covering, erasing, cutting, and connecting. These actions in Kimura’s practice are not merely formal techniques, but emerge from an ongoing dialogue between the material and a body shaped by years of working with textiles. Through the repeated process of engaging with materials and responding to their transformations, unexpected occurrences and subtle fluctuations arise beyond the artist’s intentions, allowing new contours to emerge through the accumulation of time.
This exhibition presents two new works from the “FRAGMENT” series, a large-scale work (Size 100) and a smaller work (SM size), in which textiles are cut, connected, and reconstructed to create new relationships. Alongside these, works from the “VESTIGE” series will be exhibited, in which traces of time are preserved within the fibers through repeated acts of layering, covering, and erasing.
In “FRAGMENT,” pieces that have lost their former continuity are reconnected, acquiring new contours and relationships. In “VESTIGE,” images emerge and disappear within multiple layers, while what appears to have vanished continues to remain as a trace.
Fragmentation and connection, disappearance and persistence. What unites these two series is an approach that seeks to discover new possibilities within the process of transformation itself, rather than directing materials toward a predetermined form.
Time and bodily memory embedded in the universal material of textiles, and unknown forms emerging through transformation. We hope this exhibition offers an opportunity to reconsider the materials and forms of existence that shape our everyday lives, and to encounter the possibilities that lie hidden within them.
We warmly invite you to visit the exhibition and spend time engaging with the works.
Drawing on approximately 25 years of experience working with textiles, Ryuya Kimura explores the process through which materials transcend their original functions and meanings, transforming into new forms of existence. His practice encompasses a diverse range of expressions, from two-dimensional works using fabric as a support to three-dimensional works that take shape in space.
Layering, covering, erasing, cutting, and connecting. These actions in Kimura’s practice are not merely formal techniques, but emerge from an ongoing dialogue between the material and a body shaped by years of working with textiles. Through the repeated process of engaging with materials and responding to their transformations, unexpected occurrences and subtle fluctuations arise beyond the artist’s intentions, allowing new contours to emerge through the accumulation of time.
This exhibition presents two new works from the “FRAGMENT” series, a large-scale work (Size 100) and a smaller work (SM size), in which textiles are cut, connected, and reconstructed to create new relationships. Alongside these, works from the “VESTIGE” series will be exhibited, in which traces of time are preserved within the fibers through repeated acts of layering, covering, and erasing.
In “FRAGMENT,” pieces that have lost their former continuity are reconnected, acquiring new contours and relationships. In “VESTIGE,” images emerge and disappear within multiple layers, while what appears to have vanished continues to remain as a trace.
Fragmentation and connection, disappearance and persistence. What unites these two series is an approach that seeks to discover new possibilities within the process of transformation itself, rather than directing materials toward a predetermined form.
Time and bodily memory embedded in the universal material of textiles, and unknown forms emerging through transformation. We hope this exhibition offers an opportunity to reconsider the materials and forms of existence that shape our everyday lives, and to encounter the possibilities that lie hidden within them.
We warmly invite you to visit the exhibition and spend time engaging with the works.
Ryuya Kimura
Ryuya Kimura began his career in fashion in London, where he participated in London Fashion Week as an assistant to ANN-SOFIE BACK. He subsequently worked as a design and production assistant at Paul Seville, a leather jewelry brand known for creating showpieces for GIVENCHY, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan, and others.
Following a range of activities in Japan and abroad, including participation in a fashion competition in Russia, Kimura returned to Japan and established his own label, "RYU." While presenting collections both domestically and internationally, he has continued to pursue a wide range of fashion-based creative activities, including directing external brands and designing costumes for artists.
Drawing on approximately 25 years of experience working with textiles, Kimura currently creates paintings and sculptural works. His practice explores the process through which textiles depart from their original functions and meanings, transforming into new forms of existence. His work extends from two-dimensional compositions using fabric as a support to three-dimensional forms that emerge into space.
Through his engagement with materials and his responsiveness to their transformations, Kimura develops an ongoing dialogue between the body and the material. Attentive to the traces that emerge at the intersection of deliberate intervention and chance, as well as the accumulation of time embedded within textiles, he reveals new contours arising through processes of transformation and the inherent possibilities of the material itself.
Biography
2002 — Traveled to Russia to participate in a fashion competition.
2003 — Moved to the United Kingdom and participated in London Fashion Week as an assistant.
2004 — Returned to Japan and established his own fashion label, "RYU."
2022 — Opened the concept store "COBACHI TOKYO" in Kuramae, Tokyo.
2024 — Began presenting artworks under the name RYUYA KIMURA.
Solo Exhibitions
2024 — "RYUYA KIMURA Exhibition," COBACHI TOKYO, Tokyo, Japan
2025 — "RYUYA KIMURA Exhibition," Ryosokuin Temple, Kennin-ji, Kyoto, Japan
Ryuya Kimura began his career in fashion in London, where he participated in London Fashion Week as an assistant to ANN-SOFIE BACK. He subsequently worked as a design and production assistant at Paul Seville, a leather jewelry brand known for creating showpieces for GIVENCHY, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan, and others.
Following a range of activities in Japan and abroad, including participation in a fashion competition in Russia, Kimura returned to Japan and established his own label, "RYU." While presenting collections both domestically and internationally, he has continued to pursue a wide range of fashion-based creative activities, including directing external brands and designing costumes for artists.
Drawing on approximately 25 years of experience working with textiles, Kimura currently creates paintings and sculptural works. His practice explores the process through which textiles depart from their original functions and meanings, transforming into new forms of existence. His work extends from two-dimensional compositions using fabric as a support to three-dimensional forms that emerge into space.
Through his engagement with materials and his responsiveness to their transformations, Kimura develops an ongoing dialogue between the body and the material. Attentive to the traces that emerge at the intersection of deliberate intervention and chance, as well as the accumulation of time embedded within textiles, he reveals new contours arising through processes of transformation and the inherent possibilities of the material itself.
Biography
2002 — Traveled to Russia to participate in a fashion competition.
2003 — Moved to the United Kingdom and participated in London Fashion Week as an assistant.
2004 — Returned to Japan and established his own fashion label, "RYU."
2022 — Opened the concept store "COBACHI TOKYO" in Kuramae, Tokyo.
2024 — Began presenting artworks under the name RYUYA KIMURA.
Solo Exhibitions
2024 — "RYUYA KIMURA Exhibition," COBACHI TOKYO, Tokyo, Japan
2025 — "RYUYA KIMURA Exhibition," Ryosokuin Temple, Kennin-ji, Kyoto, Japan
RYUYA KIMURA
Dates: November 20 (Fri) – December 4 (Fri), 2026
Hours: 12:00–19:00 / Closed on Mondays (November 23 & 30)
Opening Reception: November 20 (Fri), 18:00–21:00
Venue: NEW
B1F, 5-9-15 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Dates: November 20 (Fri) – December 4 (Fri), 2026
Hours: 12:00–19:00 / Closed on Mondays (November 23 & 30)
Opening Reception: November 20 (Fri), 18:00–21:00
Venue: NEW
B1F, 5-9-15 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan