Yuji Kanamaru (b. 1978, Kanagawa, Japan) graduated from the Department of Design at Tokyo University of the Arts in 2003, where he studied under Masataka Oyabu and Chinami Nakajima. Grounded in the formal language of Nihonga, he has developed a distinctive painterly practice. His work is characterized by a unique materiality that incorporates elements such as linen, fragments of English newspapers, and intentionally induced cracks, layered with vivid yet soft colors. Influenced by his childhood experiences in the Middle East, his imagery—featuring enigmatic creatures and architectural motifs—evokes a sense of otherness intertwined with nostalgia. Animals such as ancient fish and turtles, which suggest themes of time and life, constitute a central motif in his practice. Since 2011, Kanamaru has also produced sculptural works, extending pictorial motifs into three-dimensional space. These sculptural works have been primarily presented at SHIKISAISHA Gallery. In 2002, he co-founded the artist collective C-DEPOT, through which he continues to engage with the social role of art. He has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions, as well as at international art fairs.