AYAKA WATAHIKI
Generally speaking, women are idealized as beautiful and pure, well made up and beautifully dressed;
this is an image of “whiteness”.
Their essence, however, appears entirely different. Women are sensually insatiable and have poison;
this is an image of filth, of “blackness”. They lure you with their sweet fragrance and soft curves,
like a fruit that entices, but gives a sour taste when eaten.
Watahiki draws from these interesting facets of women, with their taboos and poison, and uses this
motif to create her art.
Ayaka Watahiki was born in 1985 in Ibaraki, Japan. She studied at Bunka Designer Institute BFA and graduated
in 2003. Recent solo and group exhibitions include “TOKYO FANTASY,” Mitsukoshi Gallery, Tokyo Japan (2013);
“Sekai Painting Grand Prize,” Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo Japan (2013); “ACT ART COM,” The Artcomplex
Center of Tokyo, Tokyo Japan (2013); “Chips,” Hillside Terrace Forum, Tokyo Japan (2012); “GEISA #16,” Tokyo Ryutsu
Center, Tokyo Japan (2012); “Sprout V,” Artworks Gallery, Ibaraki Japan (2008); “MELANCHOLIC SUGAR solo show,
“Gallery Open Sesame, Ibaraki Japan (2007); and “Snow Fort 06,” Gallery Hibiya, Tokyo Japan (2006).
She received the Special Prize Award in the 38th Art Festival (2005).
Watahiki lives and works in Tokyo, Japan.