Sway Gallery London is pleased to present work by our next featured artists, illustrator and fashion designer Yukiko the Witch and painter Takeshi Yamao. Discover two of Japan’s most exciting, young creators with an intimate, curated collection of their conceptual drawings and installations.

This small-scale exhibition will take place in the art section of Sway Gallery.

Participants:

Yukiko The Witch was born and raised in Iwate, Japan and graduated from Tokyo Zokei University with a major in sculpting. She then relocated to Canada to study fashion at the International Academy of Design in Toronto and was awarded for her work in economic development.

Seven years later, Yukiko returned to Japan to work in the fashion industry, starting with Issey Miyake Inc. and then breaking into the world of sports apparel where she currently holds over a decade of design experience.

Yukiko makes her art in her home studio in Tokyo and is also a certified RYT 200 Registered Yoga Teacher.

WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM

Takeshi Yamao was born in 1984 in Nara, Japan.

At the age of 14, he suffered from the hikikomori syndrome (a form of severe social withdrawal). At the same time, he longed for a connection with the society, finding hope in drawing his childhood motifs.

His primary goal was to work as a manga creator / illustrator, however, at the age of 17, he was drawn into the world of art inspired by the works of Yoshitomo Nara and Takashi Murakami. Yamao has been regularly participating in art fairs since 2018.

CONCEPT: C・N・V (Create New Value)

“Criticism of others due to politics, religion – whatever “big” reasons – are trivial. As human beings, we should use our imagination to reach beyond the superficial things or information around us. How wonderful it would be if this world were filled with kindness, honesty, and love.

While these works are based on various ideas, they are all rooted in my search for love. I created the concept of C・N・V (Create New Value) from a desire to present a new perspective born from my imagination; free from any preconceived notions of one’s own gender, values, culture, common sense, rules, and morals. A new perspective, a new way of thinking. Beyond this, I create works with the hope of presenting a society where everyone can see as much kindness and hope as possible.

If I could articulate just one final point, I also hope we can become a world where not only human beings but all other creatures on earth can live freely, whether they are wild, livestock, or pets.”

WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM