34 Gallery Artist: Kira Risugawa

"A Gathering of the Solitary" by Kira Risugawa:  "I wanted to portray the inner feeling of “the solitary” that arises within oneself through relationships with others, viewed from an external, objective perspective. I created this work with the hope of depicting the sense of being solitary individually felt by people concentrated in urban areas around the world."

“The Golden Silence” by Kira Risugawa: "Silence as gold. Radiant darkness. Even in a moment of stillness that your inner self craves, you will imagine the light—and move toward it. The same is true for me. This work is an expression of the first image that came to my mind when I heard the word ‘silence.’"

“Blown, Flowing, Moving Forward” by Kira Risugawa:  "I expressed the fluctuating emotions that everyone likely experiences. These emotions have no regularity (and that’s fine). The work “Betwixt” portrays such aspects of the human psyche. The work simply captures our unstable yet beautiful existence, as we continue living while being buffeted by winds that sway and stir our emotions."

"The Triptych of Three Selves" by Kira Risugawa:  "Our outward face shown to the world and the one that resides within. In a social context, it is often others’ analyses that are deemed accurate. However, my expression in this work is about the “true self.” In this regard, everything should be guided by subjectivity and self-respect that includes self-reflection." 

"The Human Insect Chronicles" by Kira Risugawa:  "When I first envisioned this theme, I have continued to pursue the image that came to my mind. This work represents the conflict between a young girl in her formative years and society, as well as the self she protects and holds onto within."

"Total Adoration" by Kira Risugawa: "The theme of “Adoration” felt like a vast and multifaceted word, evoking profound meanings for me. The one word that seemed to encompass them all was “Love.” An invisible presence that everyone should revere, I envisioned this word as a beacon of hope reached through meditation, prayer, and the culmination of human actions, guiding my creative process."

 "Let My Shadows Dance to My Rhythm" by Kira Risugawa:  "In the end, I feel that the most important thing is to somehow take in nutrition and maintain health, even when I have no appetite. It's challenging because that's often easier said than done, but I keep in mind that balance between body and mind is essential. 

“Post-Future Insight” by Kira Risugawa:  “'Hindsight,” is, in my view, a potentially dangerous notion that can impose constraints on one’s future actions. In order to move forward, not knowing is sometimes essential. In the end, what matters is striving to live without regrets in each of those moments. Even amid looming dark clouds, I believe we can still apply hindsight with calm clarity."

"Quietude in the Winter Desolation" by Kira Risugawa:  "The experience of isolation and alienation that follows trauma. At present, I feel that I have never carried a heavy trauma, but when I look back, I cannot say that I have had none. I make my living with music. .In the past, there were several concrete moments of hardship and a continuous experience of loneliness and isolation."

"We Fall Down, But We Get Up" by Kira Risugawa: "The world depicted in this artwork captures a moment where we have no choice but to move forward with resilience—an image imprinted on me through past films, dramas, and novels. It is a scene that came to my mind instinctively in response to this theme."

 "On Cats and Humans Over a Long Time" by Kira Risugawa: "The theme 'Animalia' holds many meanings, but I chose to reflect a simple one in my work. The relationship between humans and animals, including myself. I depicted familiar cats that live closely with people, as well as wild animals of the same species. I brought these elements together in a single piece."