He is well-versed in literature and the arts from a young age, demonstrating his talents as a writer and critic; contributing his writings, in the form of art criticism, to magazines such as Atelier and Mizue since the age of 15. As an artist, he pursues the ability to freely and uniquely express himself through different mediums such as oil painting, watercolor, photo-dessins (a fusion of photograms and painting), ink painting, printmaking, and subsequently greatly influenced young artists such as Ay-O, Ikeda Masuo, Isobe Yukihisa, Kawara On, and Hosoe Eikoh, and played a pioneering role in post-war Japanese art.
- 1911
- Born in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture. His real name is Sugita Hideo.
- 1925
- Dropped out of Miyazaki Junior High School (under the previous system) and went to Tokyo. Enrolled in the Nihon Bijutsu Gakko (Japan School of Art).
- 1927
- Studied French at Athénée Français. Left the Japan Academy of Fine Arts .
- 1930
- Enrolled in the Oriental School of Photography and became passionate about photography.
- 1935
- The first time he was selected for the Central Art Exhibition. He formed the Furusato Group together with Yamada Mitsuharu and others .
- 1936
- Published a collection of photo-dessins entitled Reasons for Sleep. From this time on, he called himself Ei-Q.
- 1937
- Participated in the founding of the Association of Free Artists. Left in the following year.
- 1951
- Established the Association of Democrat Artists. Moved to Urawa (present Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture).
- 1960
- Passed away (48 years old)
Main Exhibitions
- 1934
- 1st Exhibition of the Miyazaki Art Association (Miyazaki City)
- 1936
- Ei-Q Photo-Dessin Solo Exhibition (Kinokuniya/Ginza, Mikado/Osaka , Nishimura Musical Instrument Store/ Miyazaki City)
- 1937
- 1st Exhibition of the Association of Free Artists (Japan Artists Association/Ueno, Tokyo)
- 1950
- Ei-Q Photo-Dessin Exhibition (Matsuzakaya/Ueno, Tokyo)
- 1951
- Ei-Q Photo-Dessin Exhibition (Miyazaki City Chamber of Commerce Auditorium/Miyazaki City)
Ei-Q Photo-Dessin Exhibition (Umeda Gallery/Osaka)
1st Democrat Art Exhibition (Osaka City Museum of Art) - 1953
- Contemporary Photography Exhibition: Japan and America (The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo)
Abstract and Illusion Exhibition (The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo) - 1955
- The 7th Japan Indépendants Exhibition (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum)
- 1957
- ‘The 1st Tokyo International Print Biennale’ (National Museum of Modern Art, Yomiuri Kaikan)
- 1960
- Ei-Q Oil Painting Exhibition (Kabutoya Gallery/ Tokyo)
Takemiya Gallery, Bunbodo Gallery, Muramatsu Gallery, etc.
After his death, many exhibitions of his works continue to be held at major museums.