Kenji Umeda: a journey

Moving to Cambridge from Japan in the early 1970s, Umeda befriended Jim and Helen Ede and worked in the Kettle’s Yard house. In caring for the collection, Umeda became drawn to the work of Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, inspiring him to further his study of sculpture in Carrara, Italy before moving to the United States.

In letters, Umeda describes Jim Ede as his sensei, or teacher, and 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, adjacent to works by Lucie Rie and William Scott.

This display showcases new research, combining artworks and archival correspondence to follow Kenji Umeda’s life and career through his lasting friendship with Jim Ede.

This display will take place in the Edlis Neeson Research Space at Kettle’s Yard. A preview of this exhibition will be staged in the Margaret Howell flagship store in Marylebone, London, from 19 March – 12 April 2026. Curated by Dr Inga Fraser, Senior Curator (House and Collection).