Mayuko Ose
Japan
Japanese artist Mayuko Ose (b. 1996) explores contemporary interpretations of Nihonga (Japanese painting), deeply influenced by Japan's post-war underground culture and pop aesthetics. Graduating from Tama Art University in 2018, Ose draws inspiration from prominent graphic designers Tadanori Yokoo and Kiyoshi Awazu, known for their vivid, saturated visual compositions. Her work merges graphic design sensibilities with traditional Japanese painting techniques, creating striking visual narratives filled with vibrant colors and shadowy human silhouettes.
Recurring motifs of silhouetted figures evoke ambiguous and enigmatic memories, suspended between reality and illusion, inviting viewers to explore subconscious landscapes and psychological spaces within her canvases. Her contemporary painting practice thoughtfully addresses the complexities of time, interpersonal relationships, and collective memory.
Key solo exhibitions include Teaching The Shape of The Moon, YIRI ARTS, Taipei (2023); Tashikana Maboroshi, Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Art Salon, Tokyo (2022); project N 81, Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Tokyo (2021); Vacuum Life, Institut Français, Tokyo (2019). Notable group exhibitions include Wish, Almine Rech (2023); FREE COLORS, Nihombashi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo (2022); Flowers of Time, Hongan-ji Dendo-in, Kyoto (2022).