Present Part Time Lecturer, Higashi Sumiyoshi Sogo High School, Osaka
After School Teacher, Koyo Kindergarten, Kyoto
2010 Ph.D., Kyoto City University of Arts
2008–07 Artist in Residence program, Kuehlungsborn, Germany
2006 M.F.A., Kyoto City University of Arts
Solo Exhibitions
2018 URUSHISM, Fukuya, Hiroshima
2017 SUIZOKU, BAMIgallery, Kyoto
2016 URUSHISM,Sanyo Hyakkaten, Himeji
URUPIKA, Abeno Harukasu Kintetsu, Osaka
2015 SANO Akira, Ichibara Department Store, Shimane
2013 MOKYU MOKYU MOKYU by SANO Akira, Nagoya Matsuzakaya, Aichi
Introducing Contemporary Lacquer, Keiko Art International
2011 Hello Kumasan, BAMI Gallery, Kyoto
KUMASAN at GION KONISHI, GION KONISHI, Kyoto
2009 Soul of Forest, Gallery HANEUSAGI, Kyoto
(also in '06: The Sound Drops Played in Myth Age,'05: God Inhabits in Star Ocean)
Group Exhibitions
2018 Selected Emerging Artists Exhibition by Kyoto Prefecture
2017 Hard Bodies: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer Sculpture, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN, U.S.A.
Aquarium for Sculptures, Nihonbashi Mitsukosi, Tokyo
Animalook, Ohta Natsuki, Kujo Naoki, Sano Akira, Fukuya Hacchobori, Hiroshima
2016 Ittenn, SHISEIDO THE GINZA
Selected Emerging Artists Exhibition, RINPA Forever, The Museum of Kyoto
2015 Dialogue with Materials: Contemporary Japanese Arts an Crafts, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey
Powan Powan by Sano Akira and Kujo Naoki, Tenmaya Hiroshima and Okayama
2014 Aesthetic Premonition - Metamorphose, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Osaka
Dialogue with Materials: Contemporary Japanese Arts an Crafts, Ahmed Adnen Saygun Sanat Merkezi, Izmir, Turkey
KAWAII + Grand Prize Exhibition, Shiga Kogen Roman Museum
2012 Futurists Craftmen, Gallery Rempah-Rempah
International Urushi Exhibition, Taikyu Design Center, Korea
PowanPowan: GOJO Naoki and SANO Akira, Gallery Kaede, Osaka
CRIA Exhibition, 2012, Kyoto Art Centerm Kyoto
2011 Cutting Edge of Modern Arts in Kyoto and Gonbessa of Setouchi, TakamatsuTenmanya, Kagawa
Aizu, Urushi Festival 2011, Aizuwakamatsu, Kitakata, Fukushima
Flowless: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer, Cavin Morris Gallery, New York, NY
Gombessa. Proposal ep1, I am Japanese, BAMI Gallerym Kyoto
Lead the way for the future of Urushi, Wajima Museum of Lacquer, Ishikawa
2010 Doctor Thesis Exhibition, Kyoto Art University of Arts
2009 URUOI URUSHI, MIYAKO messe, Kyoto
Contemporary Japanese Lacquer, KEIKO Gallery, MA
URUSHI meeting 2009, Gallery Maronie, Kyoto
Asahi Modern Craft Exhibition (also in '04)
2008 MV Inspiriet: Japanishe Kuenstler zu Gast in M-V, Galarie Nering + Stern,Bad Doberan, Germany
MV Inspiriet: Japan—Kuehlungsborn, Kuehlungsborn Kunst Halle, Kuehlungsborn, Germany
Gallerism 2008, Osaka modern art center, Osaka
NYOKKI NYOKKI—GUJO Naoki and SANO Akira Exhibition, KEIBUNSHA, Kyoto
2007 The Rostock—Kyoto art rainbow project, Rostock Kunst Halle, Rostock, Germany
Superb in May, Kyoto art center, Kyoto (also in '07)
Bud: GUJO Naoki and SANO Akira Exhibition, ISHIDATAISEISHA hall, Kyoto
MV Inspiriet; Japanishe Kuenstler zu Gast in M–V, Cafe Roentogen, Schwerin, Germany
2006 The possibility of URUSHI Cray, Gallery NISHIKAWA, Kyoto
Japan–China Exchange Exhibition, Beijing, China
Art Univ 2006, Consortium Kyoto, Kyoto
Awards
2016 Asahi Newspaper Award
2012 Shinseido Award, Kawaii + Exhibition, Spiral Garden, Tokyo
2007 Grand Prize, The Rostock-Kyoto art rainbow project, Germany
2006 Excellent Prize, Sound sculpture competition 2006
Collections/ Public Art
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN
Rostock Kunst Halle, Rostock, Germany
Hotel AM WESTSTRAND, Kuehlungsborn, Germany
Hotel Polar Stern, Kuehlungsborn, Germany
Kyoto Bank, Kyoto
