Kenji Umeda: a journey

This display in the Edlis Neeson Research Space exhibits never-before-seen drawings by Kenji Umeda (1948–2019), alongside sculpture, prints and letters between the artist and Jim Ede. Moving to Cambridge from Japan in the early 1970s, Umeda befriended Jim and Helen Ede and worked in the Kettle's Yard house. Drawn to the work of Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, he furthered his study of sculpture in Carrara, Italy before moving to the United States; from his studio in Arizona he sent the Edes his marble sculpture Spirality (1977), which is displayed in the Kettle's Yard house to this day. Combining artworks and archival correspondence, the display follows Umeda's life and career through his lasting friendship with Jim Ede.