Wakako Kawakami
Born in Osaka, currently lives in Tokyo
Completed the Post-Graduate Course (Fine Arts) of Musashino Art University, Junior College of Art and Design, Department of Fine Arts in 1992. She began presenting her own exhibitions in 1995. Since then, She has made a name for herself with numerous large-scale fabric installations, including human figures (“Hitogata”), life-sized dolls modeled after herself, and dandelion motifs. She works alone in her studio and continues to create prolifically every day. In recent years, her signature projects have featured immersive environments inhabited by flocks of life-sized budgerigars (parakeets). Selected for the 2nd Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art. Recent major exhibitions include the solo exhibition “Pico and Peeta” (2024 / @btf / Tokyo), “Semijikan – Parakeets’ Excursion” (2019 / Kakurin Temple / Hyogo), “Rokko Meets Art 2018” (Hyogo), “Art Line Kashiwa 2018 – Smiling” (Chiba), and the solo exhibition “Winter Festival” (2015 / Park Hotel Tokyo 25F / Tokyo).

Artist’s Message
“Parakeets are birds that naturally live in flocks; it’s said that a single parakeet on its own grows too lonely to bear. Drawn as if by the allure of a beautiful garden of Yae-sakura (eight-fold cherry blossoms), they fluttered down and transformed into pure white forms. These parakeets have no faces. I chose not to give them eyes, noses, or mouths because I didn’t want to impose my own intentions on them. Even though each bird is made using the same method, simply by standing there together they all seem to have different expressions, as if something unique is emanating from their backs. I respect the will of these parakeets and entrust all that is important to the works themselves. I hope that the time guests spend in this room will lead to smiles tomorrow.”

Nagisa Nakauchi
A painter who draws on old books.
She spent her early childhood in Argentina, where she developed a fascination with foreign cultures and landscapes.
Through her travels to various countries, she taught herself sketching.
She continues to travel the world and creates art only from things that move her heart.
Graduated from the Department of Spanish, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
Starting with a solo exhibition in Paraguay, she has held solo exhibitions at Isetan Shinjuku Main Store Art Gallery, the National Gallery of the Children’s Museum (Costa Rica), the Embassy of Spain in Japan, Ivy Brown Gallery (New York), LOEWE Ginza Main Store, Instituto Cervantes Tokyo, and Shimada Museum Gallery. She is also the author of Sketch-Traveling Spain (published by Ediman), among other works.

Since 2022, many of her works have been published in the high school art textbook “High School Art” by Nihon Bunkyo Publishing Co., Ltd.
She was invited as a guest artist to reside and create at the Piramidón Contemporary Art Center in Barcelona.
Her commercial work includes key visuals and packaging designs for ‘Natural Ex’ by Hollywood Cosmetics and the ‘Roseine’ series by Mary’s Chocolate.
Artist’s Message
Hanami (flower viewing) has existed in Japan since the Heian period (794–1185).Even in those distant times, Yae-sakura (eight-fold cherry blossoms) bloomed and fascinated people.I have recreated that same sakura experience—one that Japanese people have cherished and found joy in for over a thousand years.I hope you can feel what it’s like to be right in the midst of happiness, surrounded by sakura.May this room be a place where happiness gently falls upon each and every guest.