FROM EARTH TO SKY / Minako Nakai

Gallery Sekiryu Matsumoto is pleased to represent Minako Nakai’s first solo exhibition. She is an artist who creates three-dimensional pieces based on shapes of the natural world, using Japanese lacquer, urushi, which is sap that flows through an urushi tree.

Nakai always says, “Urushi symbolizes my identity”. After a long and complicated process of urushi, keeping her sensibility fresh from the beginning to end, her work is finally complete. The beautiful gloss evokes a feeling of vitality, the traditional techniques of decorating called Raden and Maki-e add a playful spirit and pop feel to her work. Each highlight of her work sparks joy in its viewers; the daring forms, the delicate details, the combination of colors, and the harmony between different materials like stones and shellfish.

The exhibition title, “From Earth To Sky” is taken from the show by Joan Miro, the great Spanish artist, who Nakai respects.

A seed sprouts from the earth and grows to the sky.  The direction of life like this overlaps with not only the fresh plants and fruits she creates but also the young artist herself who tries to breathe life into her work. We do hope you have a good opportunity to experience her creations.

1996
Born in Tokyo
2021
Tokyo University of the Arts, BFA in Japanese Lacquer
Metro Cultural Foundation Prize
Art Vaccine Audition Noritaka Tatehana Prize
2022
Art Meets Architecture Competition Excellent Prize

and more

Works by Minako Nakai