“I speak of regeneration, vitality, love, and hope that never fade no matter what world we find ourselves in. I speak of why we should continue to live.”
Finding Sanctuary in Nature: Ayuna’s Origins
Ayuna’s art is deeply rooted in her personal history, shaped by a tumultuous childhood that instilled in her an appreciation for nature’s quiet power. She reflects on a harrowing past marked by constant fear and uncertainty, recalling sleepless nights filled with anxiety and the struggle for survival. It was during these early years that nature became her refuge. The natural world, with its cyclical balance of life and death, offered her a sense of peace she couldn’t find elsewhere. It was within this environment that she found solace, observing how death wasn’t an end but a part of a larger, regenerative process that gave birth to new life.
Through her artistic lens, Ayuna captures this intricate balance. Her work, inspired by nature’s vitality and persistence, speaks of the eternal cycle of life, hope, and the will to continue despite adversity. Nature, as she presents it, is not a passive backdrop but an active force in her narrative, reflecting her personal journey of healing and transformation. Ayuna channels this energy into her creations, using it as a metaphor for the perseverance and love that humanity must hold onto, regardless of the challenges we face.
Ayuna’s bond with nature has become more than just an artistic muse—it is the foundation of her worldview and her work. Through this connection, she expresses themes of regeneration and survival, making nature not only a subject but a collaborator in her art. Each stroke of her brush reflects this profound connection, where the natural world’s quiet strength inspires resilience and a message of hope.
Ayuna: Art as a Vessel for Healing
Ayuna’s journey into the art world began in her early teens as a way to process the overwhelming emotions of her troubled youth. In a place where she felt voiceless and unsafe, art became her outlet—a silent scream turned into visual expression. The act of drawing became a therapeutic process, offering her a way to pour out the anger, pain, and sadness she carried within. These early artworks were not just creative endeavors but lifelines, gradually mending the wounds of her soul. It was during this period of emotional turmoil that Ayuna recognized the power of art to heal, both for herself and others.
As Ayuna grew older, her artistic practice evolved beyond personal catharsis. In her twenties, she decided to expand her focus, shifting from solely comforting herself to creating art that embraced and protected others. Her works became a form of collective healing, inviting viewers to experience the same comfort and support she had once sought in her paintings. This empathetic approach now forms the backbone of her artistic philosophy, where each exhibition serves as a new chapter in an ongoing story of resilience and recovery.
The foundation Ayuna built through this journey continues to shape her creative output today. Her work stands as a testament to the therapeutic power of art and the potential it holds to provide solace to others who may be enduring their own struggles. Through her exhibitions, she not only shares her own story but also offers a space for others to reflect on their experiences, making her art an inclusive, healing force.
Nature’s Rhythms and Personal Mythologies
Ayuna’s work weaves together personal mythology and nature, reflecting a deeply interconnected relationship between the two. She sees herself as a storyteller, with each painting an episode in the life of a persona inspired by the natural world. These personas, such as the pink-haired ‘Shell,’ emerge from her exploration of the natural elements and their connection to the human experience. Shell, for example, is not just a character but a representation of love, regeneration, and abundance—concepts central to Ayuna’s artistic vision. Through her personas, Ayuna celebrates the life-affirming power of nature, inviting viewers into a universe where life is continuously renewed.
Ayuna’s creative process is guided by the natural world’s rhythms, especially the cycles of the moon, which play a significant role in her work. She studies the ebb and flow of the moon’s phases, finding inspiration in its mysterious influence over nature. Her canvases often become stages for her personas to interact with these lunar forces, capturing the essence of life’s cyclical nature. This connection to the moon imbues her work with a sense of timelessness, reflecting the idea that nature’s patterns are eternal, much like the themes of love and hope she explores in her art.
The personas Ayuna creates are not passive figures but active participants in the stories she tells through her paintings. They represent the human spirit intertwined with the forces of nature, embodying both vulnerability and strength. Ayuna’s art, through these figures, becomes a space where personal stories and natural phenomena converge, creating a dialogue between the inner self and the external world.
Ayuna: The Rituals of Creation and Influences
For Ayuna, the act of creating art is a ritualistic process that requires careful preparation. She begins with visualization, a practice that demands deep concentration and minimal distractions. Whether she’s in the quiet of her studio or the noise of a subway, this mental clarity is essential to her process. Alongside visualization, Ayuna’s workspace is equipped with small comforts—snacks, fruits, and coffee—to sustain her during the long hours of painting. Intense music often accompanies her sessions, acting as a temporary barrier from the outside world, allowing her to dive fully into her creative space. These rituals are not mere habits but vital components that enable her to channel her emotions and ideas onto the canvas.
Ayuna’s artistic influences extend beyond personal experiences and nature, with artists like Kiki Smith playing a pivotal role in shaping her creative voice. Smith’s ability to unravel personal narratives in her artwork resonated deeply with Ayuna, inspiring her to do the same in her own practice. Moreover, the emotional support from a loved one has also been instrumental in guiding her work toward a more positive direction. The encouragement and love she receives have pushed her to take better care of herself, and this newfound sense of self-love is reflected in the brighter themes now present in her work.
Beyond her current practices, Ayuna dreams of exploring new cultural and spiritual dimensions in her art, particularly those rooted in East Asian traditions. Her fascination with Japanese culture and its animistic beliefs has sparked ideas for future projects that delve into the relationship between humans and spiritual beings in nature. Ayuna envisions a series of works that integrate these ancient belief systems, using religious iconography and natural motifs to explore new narratives of interdependence and reverence between the human and the divine. Through this project, she hopes to expand the scope of her art, blending her personal mythology with the rich cultural heritage of Japan.
