Osamu Watanabe is a prominent artist who has transformed the art of sweet decoration into a captivating art form. In 2000, Watanabe ventured into a new artistic field that he pioneered, known as ‘Fake Cream Art.’ This distinctive style uses artificial food materials to craft decorative and edible-looking treats inspired by various themes. Watanabe’s deep passion for confectionary art stems from his childhood, where his mother, a confectionary schoolteacher, instilled in him a love for sweets associated with joyful memories of anniversaries and birthdays. As a result, the idea of utilising candies became a focal point of his works.

Watanabe’s highly entertaining works have garnered widespread recognition, with prominent features on TV shows, department store displays, and collaborations with animation creators and beauty salons. Even among those with limited exposure to art, his creations have gained considerable acclaim. In an interview, Watanabe expressed his aspirations to collaborate and promote his artistic vision on a global scale, stating: “I would like to collaborate with various media and companies to realize projects that will link my style of expression with all kinds of cultures and spread it across the world as if the cream is volumizing itself.”

Using references from classical subjects frequently encountered in art history, Watanabe adds his unique touch to create a series of artworks that challenge conventional values and perceptions. While his renowned series revolves around animal themes, he has also produced various other series, such as adorning famous paintings and sculptures with fake cream and sweets, crafting dry landscape gardens adorned with fake white cream, and depicting decorated world heritage sites.

Watanabe’s talent has gained international recognition, leading to solo exhibitions in Japan and China, Italy, Belgium, Turkey, the United States, and South Korea. Furthermore, his works have been in prestigious collections, including the Ohara Museum of Art in Okayama Prefecture and the Kiyosu City Haruhi Art Museum in Aichi Prefecture.