Hirano Shinji

Hirano Shinji was born and lives in Hiroshima Prefecture. He is a member of Ayumien Seijinryo, a welfare facility (run by Social Welfare Corporation Soujukai) in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, and he was active there from around 2005. His works portray human figures in thick, powerful lines with daringly distorted eyebrows, eyes, noses and mouths. Popular entertainers and celebrities often feature as subjects. The comedian Shimura Ken’s frequent appearances suggested he held a special significance for Hirano. Thanks to the efforts of Kushino Nobumasa, a care worker at Fukuyama Roppo Academy, Hirano got the chance to meet Shimura Ken in 2010. He presented Shimura with a picture of Baka Tono-sama, one of Shimura’s comedic personas.