Wakayama Mao
My work expresses how my existence and identity as a Japanese woman is shaped by those around me. I experienced the feeling of otherness for the first time when I lived in Beijing from the age of 19 to 27 as a young student, before the Beijing Olympics began and the city changed dramatically. The contrast between the major changes caused by China's economic development and the socialist view of equality that was once believed, also contributed to my thinking about my identity. Prior to that, I had never been aware of the culture and environment that defined me.
In my paintings I use imagery from advertisement, graphics, geometry, and symbolism coupled with expressionistic gestures to explore myself as molded by other people. I draw while thinking about whether my personality and my existence really exist in myself or through “the other” and how it came to be.
Born in Japan
2012 Graduated CAFA(China Academy Fine Art) University, Beijing,BFA
2015 Graduated CAFA(China Academy Fine Art) University, Beijing,MFA
2023 Live in Nagano,Karuizawa
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITION
2013 ISE New York Art Search Exhibition ,New York ,I SE Gallery
2015 “NON LANGUAGE”Exhibition ,Beijing ,IN 2 SPACE Gallery
2015 “ZHUAN” Exhibition,Beijing, MIA Art Gallery
2016 TOKYO ART FAIR, Tokyo, LINK Gallery
2021 Shell Art Award, Tokyo, The National Art Center Tokyo
2022 ACT Art Award, Tokyo, The Art complex Center of Tokyo
2022 MITSUKOSHI Art Weeks, Tokyo, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi
2022 Chelsea International Fine Art Competition, New York, Agora Gallery
2022 MITSUKOSHI Art Weeks, Tokyo, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi
2023 SPIRAL INDEPENDENT CREATORS FESTIVAL, Tokyo
PRIZE
2013 ISE New York Art Search prize
2021 Chosen Shell Art Award
2022 ACT Art Award Excellence Award
2022 Chosen Chelsea International Fine Art Competition, New York