Yui Sakamoto

Drexel Galería presents Entre la nopalera y el Mictlán, exhibition and memorial tribute to the artist Yui Sakamoto.

Yui Sakamoto was born in Nagasaki, Japan, the second of three brothers. His childhood was spent without a direct link to the art world, in an everyday environment far from creative disciplines. It was not until he entered high school, in a school specializing in art and design, that he discovered a deep affinity for painting, which would mark the beginning of his artistic vocation.

During a summer course, one of his professors, from the Tokyo University of Art, recognized in him a singular talent and encouraged him to apply to that institution, assuring him that he would be admitted without difficulty. From that moment on, Sakamoto began to explore the artistic universe more seriously, attending exhibitions of renowned artists such as Salvador Dalí, and thus consolidating his decision to dedicate his life to art.

However, in an unexpected twist, he opted not to continue his studies in Tokyo and decided to move to Italy, convinced that he could forge his path as an artist there. After a year of constant work, he organized an exhibition in a local bar, which unfortunately did not generate sales. Discouraged, he returned to his family, who at the time resided in Aguascalientes, Mexico, following his father's designation as director of the city's Japanese School.

During this period, Sakamoto devoted himself fully to painting, attending the local House of Culture on a daily basis. It was then that his mother, noticing his professional indecision, urged him to take a more definite course. Motivated by this call, he presented himself with his portfolio at the University of Monterrey in the career of Art and Design. Despite not being completely fluent in Spanish, he was accepted without the need for an entrance exam, thanks to the quality of his work.

During his five years at the university, his focus was primarily on the theoretical study of art. Although initially unfamiliar to him, he eventually came to understand the conceptual depth of many works that he had previously only admired intuitively. This training allowed him to develop a more solid and conscious approach to his artistic practice.

After completing his studies, he married and took a position as an art teacher at the Colegio Japonés de Aguascalientes, a position he held for four years. When his contract ended, and feeling exhausted from teaching, he and his wife decided to start a new stage in San Miguel de Allende, a city they hardly knew, but which offered a vibrant artistic environment. Sakamoto had previously visited some of its galleries and was confident that his work could be successfully integrated into that circuit.

However, the beginnings in San Miguel de Allende were particularly difficult. The artist himself recognizes that without the support and trust of his wife, he would not have been able to persevere. After several months without making any sales, he finally began to gain some acceptance. It was after two years of constant effort that he managed to join the prestigious Fábrica La Aurora gallery, which became a key platform for the diffusion of his work in the following years.

— Drexel Galería