I turn to painting and pour out everything from my heart.
There are all my joys of life.
Saga, Japan
@ayumi.nakao | ayuminakao.stores.jp
INTERVIEW
Ayumi, can you share how you developed your style and which artists inspired you?
I’ve loved drawing since I was little, and as I grew older I found it very satisfying to draw people exactly like them. As I have been painting more and more, I have found lines, colors, and textures of paint that perfectly suit my feelings. I had established this style myself before I went to New York to begin studying painting in earnest.
I was shocked when I saw Egon Schiele’s art works first time. There’s something very appealing about the lines he draws which is so cool. I also like Francis Bacon and Marilene Dumas. They are really showing themselves by paintings.
What are your works about? What themes do you explore through your art?
It depicts dark emotions such as human suffering, but I think it depicts very pure side too. I want to express the beauty of humanity that lies deep within dark emotions.
You began your art journey in the early 2000s and received your first award soon after. When did you realize you had become an artist?
When I won my first award, I didn’t think becoming a painter, I wanted to become an illustrator. But my paintings began to express my inner self when I went to design school and had interested in painting more. I realized that want to be a painter after graduating from design school.
Your works have been actively exhibited in Japan, and later you started participating in events in the USA. Which event was the most significant for you?
What I still remember is that during my first two-person exhibition at Tokyo in 2006. I completed a large painting on the gallery wall during the period. Many people looked at my live painting with great interest, and I felt the joy of painting, which was different from painting alone at studio. I would like to live paint a large painting If I have another chance.
Tell us about the projects that were funded by the Scholarship. What ideas were you able to bring to life thanks to this support?
This scholarship waives tuition fees for one class for a year, which was a great help. This is because I can focus on painting. I was able to painting what I wanted in class, so I was able to concentrate even more on my paintings.
You also have experience participating in an art residency. What project did you work on during the residency, and what was the final result?
The residency I participated in had the theme of a retreat, and I was able to freely create at my own pace in the Canadian nature. For my first residency, I had decided to be in Canada and paint what I felt there. During the residency, I was able to work with two wonderful artists, and I modeled my work on the artists who were participating in the residency. I have painted two large pieces of work and I was able to interact with professional artists and see art production in a field completely different from painting. I think about how to live as an artist in the future and what I will do from now on. I had a valuable experience that made me think about what I should do next as artist.
What advice would you give to artists who are just starting their art journey?
I want them to believe in what they want to create, push forward, push your limit and have fun. Because I don’t think I can continue if I don’t. So, just enjoy!