As a child of post-war Japan living in the U.S., I grew up soaking up both countries’ subcultures. By experiencing them, I have gotten to know more about both countries’ cultural identities and the historical contexts. Using those cultural backgrounds as a catalyst and a vehicle for my work, I address subjects like human emotions, the meaning of having a family or not having a family, how to live as a female, nature v.s. cities. Feelings of vulnerability, control, connection and isolation; figures fixed in traditional settings while others are unanchored, free-floating and fragile; repetitive symbolic use of elements in nature. These themes and devices are prevalent through my work, in addition to use of traditional Japanese techniques, often in non-traditional ways, represent the conflict of dichotomies within self and context.
My process often starts with drawings. Out of those numerous drawings, some of them turned into prints, paintings, animations, films, videos or installations/sculptures. Recently, I have been making a series of drawings based on “memories” and I also have been making series of garden themed polyurethane and wax sculptures which I am planning to expand onto a large installation piece incorporating animation/video projections.
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