Interview with artist Naomi Yuki
Arte Novus came across Naomi Yuki's work on Saatchi online. Her works instantly stood out with their colour, translucence and life-like quality.
Born in Osaka, Japan in 1970, Naomi now lives in Tokyo, where she dedicates her days to painting her spontaneous creations.
Born in Osaka, Japan in 1970, Naomi now lives in Tokyo, where she dedicates her days to painting her spontaneous creations.
AN: How would you describe your work?
NY: It’s a new field; a shape which creates motion on a flat plane, lying somewhere between the figurative and abstract. It seems obscure but it has its own very obvious conscious existence.
AN: When did you decide to go into painting?
NY: It was very natural to dream about when I was 5 years old, but then I began to be dishonest with myself and avoided being in touch with art. I escaped and ignored my true self. But when I became 34 years old, I couldn’t stand myself anymore and so decided to follow my soul and took the exam at the Fine Art Academy in Italy. First I want to try painting until I feel it's enough, then I will move onto 3D work.
AN: What is your typical working day/routine like?
NY: I get up when I want and have a leisurely breakfast, then do some deep breathing exercises to clear my mind. I then go for a walk for an hour and after that I begin to work. I work only by natural light so when it’s too cloudy or rainy I stop working. The most important thing in order to work is concentration. It takes about 1 hour at least to develop the ability to concentrate, I listen to music (Robbie Williams is very helpful for me! I feel like I am charging my energy!) when I am ready I start to work but the actual time of painting must be less than 30 minutes a day I guess. As I love ice-cream, sometimes after working I indulge in one. As my motto is CARPE DIEM, I try to spend every day to the fullest. A good quality of life is also important to sleep.
AN: Do you plan every aspect of your work beforehand or do you make changes while working?
NY: Nothing. Everything is improvised. I get inspired by the materials and during the painting process I don't know how things will turn out until the end.
AN: What or who inspires you the most?
NY: As painting technique, it’s only Leonardo. From my favorite artists, Maurizio Cattelan. As an art bible, W.Kandinskij. As spirit of art, G.Moreau. ..and so on. So many artists inspired me. I am also inspired by music. Art and music are very closely related to each other after all.
NY: It’s a new field; a shape which creates motion on a flat plane, lying somewhere between the figurative and abstract. It seems obscure but it has its own very obvious conscious existence.
AN: When did you decide to go into painting?
NY: It was very natural to dream about when I was 5 years old, but then I began to be dishonest with myself and avoided being in touch with art. I escaped and ignored my true self. But when I became 34 years old, I couldn’t stand myself anymore and so decided to follow my soul and took the exam at the Fine Art Academy in Italy. First I want to try painting until I feel it's enough, then I will move onto 3D work.
AN: What is your typical working day/routine like?
NY: I get up when I want and have a leisurely breakfast, then do some deep breathing exercises to clear my mind. I then go for a walk for an hour and after that I begin to work. I work only by natural light so when it’s too cloudy or rainy I stop working. The most important thing in order to work is concentration. It takes about 1 hour at least to develop the ability to concentrate, I listen to music (Robbie Williams is very helpful for me! I feel like I am charging my energy!) when I am ready I start to work but the actual time of painting must be less than 30 minutes a day I guess. As I love ice-cream, sometimes after working I indulge in one. As my motto is CARPE DIEM, I try to spend every day to the fullest. A good quality of life is also important to sleep.
AN: Do you plan every aspect of your work beforehand or do you make changes while working?
NY: Nothing. Everything is improvised. I get inspired by the materials and during the painting process I don't know how things will turn out until the end.
AN: What or who inspires you the most?
NY: As painting technique, it’s only Leonardo. From my favorite artists, Maurizio Cattelan. As an art bible, W.Kandinskij. As spirit of art, G.Moreau. ..and so on. So many artists inspired me. I am also inspired by music. Art and music are very closely related to each other after all.