Japan's 'outsider art' enjoys a warm Wellcome – in pictures

Daisuke Kibushi's Green As Far As You Can See (2004), a version of a Japanese film poster painted from memory Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Shingo Ikeda, Untitled Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Shota Katsube, Untitled (2011), an army of action figures made out of the twist ties used to fasten bin liners Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Kenichi Yamazaki's Inversion, an engineering scheme created in the artist's local hospital ward using a compass, pen and graph paper. It reveals a constellation of needlepoints when placed against the light Photograph: Shiga Prefectural Social Welfare Organisation/Satoshi Takaishi

Shoichi Koga, Crab Boy (2006) Photograph: Collection of the artist/Wellcome Images

Marie Suzuki, From Today I Haven't a Friend in the World (2009). The artist started making work in 2007, her drawings inspired by her childhood Photograph: Collection of the artist/Nobuo Onishi

Norimitsu Kokubo, Shanghai Disneyland of the Future (2009). The artist's sketches imagine real places through information discovered online Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Koichi Fujino, Octopus (2001-6) Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Shinichi Sawada, Untitled (2006-10). The artist works in clay, then fires his sculptures in a wood-fired kiln made of earth and ignited only twice a year Photograph: Private collection/Wellcome Images

Shinichi Sawada, Untitled (2006-10) Photograph: Private collection/Wellcome Images

Satoshi Morita, Untitled Photograph: Social welfare corporation Yamanami, Atelier Yamanami/Satoshi Takaishi

Seiji Murata, Untitled (1988-91). His pictures are created using the offcuts of washi (Japanese paper) produced in the facility where he is employed Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Yukiko Yamada, She Is Nobody (2008-11). Yamada didn't start drawing until she was in her 60s Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Ryosuke Otsuji, Okinawan Lion (2010), a version of a statue traditionally placed in Japanese homes to ward off evil spirits Photograph: Shiga Prefecture/Wellcome Images

Takanari Nitta's Terrestrial Globe, Myself, Rabbit, Swallow, Horse, Glass, Beer, Cloud, Trousers, Sheep (2004). Another work is called Curtain, Gloves, Rubber Boots, Legs Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Takahiro Shimoda, Fried Chicken Pyjamas (2007) Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Toshiko Yamanishi's Mother, described by the Wellcome as 'a kaleidoscopic love letters to her mother, using movement and colour in lieu of words' Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi

Masao Obata, Untitled (Wedding). Obata, who died in 2010, was a notable figure in Japanese outsider art and his work was exhibited as far afield as Paris
Photograph: Nonprofit Organisation Haretari-Kumottari/Satoshi Takaishi

Komei Bekki, Untitled Collection (1980-84). Bekki works in a ceramic studio in the Shiga Prefecture in central Japan, an area famed for the rich colour and abundance of its clay Photograph: Collection of the artist/Wellcome Images

Ryoko Koda, Untitled (1990-2000). The symbol used in her drawings is taken from her name in Japanese Photograph: Collection of the artist/Satoshi Takaishi