La Transformación del Deseo: Estoy Dentro de Alegría 2023

Mari Ito

GluePaperWoodJapanese PaperPigment
116 ⨯ 89 ⨯ 3 cm
ConditionExcellent
€ 7.990

Villa del Arte Galleries

• About the artwork
  Title: "The Transformation of Desire: I am inside of Happiness"
  Mari Ito was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1980. She majored in Nihonga, Japanese-style painting made with traditional practices, techniques and materials. She moved to Barcelona (Spain) in 2006. Since then she has taken up residence here and with Nihonga as her base she has developed various 2-D and sculptural works.
  With her motif centered upon her childhood experiences, loud colours and sensitive but sophisticated lines create unique works beyond traditional Japanese painting, opening up a unique image of the world. In pursuing the universal theme of the seeds of human desire, with its mix of happiness, sorrow and wrath, and in particular through the recurring image of flowers with faces, she reveals her distinctive approach, which is also filled with humor. Through her captivating creations, she beckons us to contemplate the intricate tapestry of human emotion, unearthing the seeds that shape our existence.
  One cannot help but be drawn to Mari’s recurring theme: flowers with faces. This whimsical touch reveals a distinctive aspect of her artistic identity, one infused with a delightful sense of humor. It is through these charming blooms that Mari invites us to share in her unique perspective on the world.
• About the artist
  Mari Ito (born 1980, Tokyo) is a contemporary Japanese artist who has lived and worked in Barcelona since 2006. Her artistic practice is rooted in the traditions of Nihonga, the classical Japanese painting style known for its use of natural mineral pigments, refined brushwork, and a deep philosophical connection to nature. From this foundation, Ito has developed a highly personal visual language that bridges Japanese heritage with the luminous sensibility of the Mediterranean.

  Growing up in Tokyo, Mari Ito was immersed in Japan’s rich visual culture, where restraint, precision, and an acute awareness of seasonal change play a central role. These principles continue to inform her work today. However, her relocation to Barcelona marked a decisive shift in her artistic evolution. The Mediterranean light, vibrant colors, and slower rhythm of life introduced a new openness and warmth into her compositions, expanding the traditionally subtle palette of Nihonga with a heightened sense of luminosity and spatial freedom.

  Ito’s paintings are characterized by layered surfaces, delicate transitions, and a quiet intensity. She often explores themes such as identity, belonging, memory, and the dialogue between cultures. Rather than positioning East and West as opposites, her work allows them to coexist harmoniously—traditional Japanese techniques meet contemporary composition, and introspective stillness is balanced by radiant light. This cultural synthesis gives her work a timeless quality while remaining firmly grounded in the present.

  Working between tradition and innovation, Mari Ito contributes to the ongoing evolution of Nihonga in a global context. Her art resonates with collectors and audiences interested in contemporary Japanese art, cross-cultural narratives, and painting that combines technical mastery with emotional depth. Based in Barcelona, she continues to build an international practice that reflects both her origins and her adopted Mediterranean environment, positioning her as a distinctive and compelling voice within contemporary art

   

   

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