Yuji Kanamaru, born in 1978 in Kanagawa, Japan, graduated in 2001 from Tokyo University of the Arts with a degree in design. He then founded and continues to lead the artist collective "C-DEPOT" while pursuing his career as a full-time artist. Under the influence of Japanese painting masters Masataka Oyabu and Chinami Nakajima, Kanamaru developed a distinctive technique, using traditional Japanese washi paper mounted on panels, with added layers of burlap and snippets of English newsprint. Through repeated applications of acrylic and mineral pigments, he creates vibrant yet gentle colors that add texture and depth to his compositions.

Kanamaru’s works capture everyday subjects like animals, plants, and urban scenes, forming warm and familiar imagery. These creations evoke layered textures and intricate visuals, inviting viewers into lush, dreamlike worlds of overlapping memories, emotions, and reimagined landscapes. Through his art, Kanamaru utilizes animals as a medium for self-expression—not merely depicting their outward appearance but distilling their unique forms through his personal perspective to reveal their inner essence. He aims to represent a “subtle distance” in his work, a presence neither too close nor too distant, which resonates with the unconscious of the viewer, bridging a gentle, empathetic connection through his artistic lens.