Kyoko

QUEEN ART is pleased to introduce Kyoko Nakano's collage artworks. First, let me share about how I ended up creating collage arts. During my childhood, I spent most of my time playing and practicing the piano. My work revolved around playing and teaching the piano which has little to do with painting. And when I was 27 years old, I started taking up pastel painting lessons and entered an unknown field just for fun. Every time I tried to paint I felt like I was in a dream and talking with the characters in my paintings. It was a discovery of another new world within me.

During my first actual practice, I imitated one of Matisse's paintings. The free and bright colors of his work seemed to speak and filled my heart with joy. The richness of its vibrant colors brought me peace and happiness, and it showed me a new possibility.

My painting class ended in a few years and after it I started doing acrylic paintings all by myself. I like acrylic paints because it has many beautiful colors. Eventually, the volume of my work increased and I was able to sell it through solo exhibits and customer requests.

My paintings were full of themes like emergence of life, small plants, and adorable creatures. I particularly liked painting eyes and mouths of animals and angels using thin brushes. However, the task became difficult as I got older so I had to change my painting style. I changed the materials I used and tried different styles several times, but after a long time I still could not find the satisfaction and the ideal solution. Then one day, I was able to avail myself a book of Matisse's art collection. It turned out that he used to start doing oil painting and then changed into cut-out painting after a serious illness at the age of 70, and still managed to create some wonderful works of art. It gave me an inspiration for another new way to express myself so I imitated his method and began cutting out painted papers and making designs. The feeling and excitement of cutting both the colors and shapes simultaneously by hand became a whole new experience for me and I realized that it could be another tool to express my world.

And then I thought on how to put the artworks for sale. If I sell original pieces, pricing would be definitely higher. But if I sell copies, the essence of the original artwork will be lost. I was looking for a solution for both problems, and I came up with an answer that collage art can also be defined as “being complete through printed forms without the existence of the original”. So then I painted Japanese papers using watercolors and created the collage through a computer. By this method, I can change all parts from color to place , and with one theme I was able to complete two sets of work involving nature and creatures.

 Until now it is still possible for me to continue making collage with the same theme of life's tenderness and nature's charm. From now on I will continue to make artworks that can be enjoyed by a wide range of audiences, from children to adults alike. Thank you for reading my story until the end.

- Kyoko Nakano