Born in 1985, Filipino-Japanese artist Kenichi Wani uses oil and acrylic to paint a whimsical world of stories. Since Wani’s early years in the Fine Arts program of the University of the Philippines- Cebu, his art communicates in shapely figures and nature-inspired backdrops. After receiving his BFA in 2013 and embarking on numerous exhibits, competitions, and fair participations in Manila, Cebu, Singapore, and Taiwan, the artist’s signature work underwent pivotal stages in terms of theme and iconography. Wani’s collections act like graphic novels where his statement round characters come alive in the most intriguing plots. The themes of these visual narratives alternate between the artist’s childhood stories, present experiences, mysterious dreams, and imagined futures. The canvases themselves are always gleaming in multi-colored palettes and never short of textural variety. Kenichi's style is a constant coalition of his Japanese roots, Filipino folk art, classical references, and international lowbrow or surrealistic styles. All these are what Wani creates as a full time artist inside his home studio in Cebu City.
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