Minako Ota

 
 
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Artist Statement

 

Born in Japan in 1965, I was trained in traditional Japanese painting at an art university in Tokyo. After graduating with a BA, I left Japan and began studying conservation of western paintings in the UK and the US and continued working in the field for 20 years, until I started painting full time in Moscow, Russia, in 2007. Currently I am starting  a new base in Princeton, NJ, for my artistic activities as of summer in 2017. I have had exhibitions in Japan, Russia, the US and France.

Since I left my native country 30 years ago, I have submerged myself in western cultures in the US and Europe, I have become a hybrid of Japanese and westerner. My paintings are a reflection of myself. I combine western painting techniques that I learned through painting conservation and traditional Japanese motifs that I grew up with.

I started painting marine creatures in spring 2020, when COVID-19 became a serious threat in the US.  People were being challenged not only in health and economic aspects, but so many others as well, such as social, political, racial, spiritual.  I started creating this series with the hope to inspire people to live more fully and joyously, no matter their circumstances.  Life began in the oceans and we are still a part of this amazing living ecosystem, connected by this vast body of water. 

My art works are mainly acrylic on linen canvas. Acrylic is a versatile material and I enjoy getting many different effects by texturing and layering. 

 

 

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