The Life and Art of Bumpei Usui
Born in Nagano, Japan, Bumpei Usui was a painter, artist, and art collector who spent much of his life in New York. After traveling to London at nineteen, he learned English and worked decorating furniture, specifically mastering Queen Anne lacquering. He arrived in New York in 1921 and continued to earn a living by applying lacquer decoration in a furniture factory. Beyond his painting, Usui was a custom frame maker, furniture designer, and lacquering craftsman. He also raised Siamese cats and collected antique Japanese swords and tea bowls.
His artistic output included social realist cityscapes, scenes of urban life, interiors, flower studies, and still lifes. His work was noted for its handling of color, textures, and space values. During the Great Depression, he joined the Federal Art Project. His status changed to "enemy alien" during World War II, a period during which he was subject to government surveillance. He eventually became a citizen and lived in Greenwich Village until his death in 1994.
Notable Works and Exhibitions
Usui’s career included numerous exhibitions with the Society of Independent Artists and the Salons of America. He was a founding member of the artists' cooperative "An American Group" in 1931. His work has been featured in various collections and exhibitions, including:
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