VANITAS — Toru Kamei
Toru Kamei's first monograph, published by Editions Treville in 2009. First edition, first printing. This copy is signed by the artist. Priced at 80 EUR.
The volume reproduces Kamei's paintings and drawings across 108 pages in B4 format, bound in hardcover with a paper dust jacket and printed by Toppan Printing Company. The work operates within a vanitas and symbolist framework — paintings of still life charged with mortality, self-nudes, and portraits that draw on the iconographic tradition of transience. The reproductions are accompanied by an artist portrait and short biographies in both Japanese and English.
Four critical essays form a substantial part of the book. Hisako Koike contributes "Mnemosyne — The Kingdom of Memory"; Midori Matsui, Philippe Codognet, and Yasuhide Shimbata each contribute additional texts. All essays appear in bilingual Japanese–English format. Translations are by Brian Amstutz and Hajime Fukuda. The volume was edited by Kenichi Kawai and designed by Chutte.
This is a bilingual art monograph with critical apparatus — not a text-free or primarily visual publication. As part of the broader Art & Illustration Books catalogue, it sits within a tradition of Japanese fine-art publishing that takes both image and critical text seriously.
About Toru Kamei
Toru Kamei (b. 1976) is a Tokyo-based oil painter. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Nihon University College of Art. Solo exhibitions include presentations at Gallery Naruyama (Tokyo, 2006–2010), AISHONANZUKA (Hong Kong, 2013), and Roentgenwerke (Tokyo, 2017). Group exhibition credits include Busan Biennale 2010 and Art Basel Hong Kong 2014. He has collaborated with Christian Dior Couture on two collections (2016–2017). VANITAS remains his only published monograph.
