Profile

1982　Born in Aichi, Japan
2006　Graduated from Oil Painting Course, Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music

In Tomoko Nagai’s works, various motifs such as bears, cats, and horses, young girls and imaginary figures, and trees and mushrooms  are scattered around with the backgrounds of forest or rooms as if they were theater settings. In each work, Nagai captures a scene from one grand imaginary world filled with innumerable images that she would never finish painting. All of her works embrace a sense of contentment and seem to address a condensed world. They also share a unique sense of space.

Nagai believes that work is result of coincidence and spontaneity. She does not draw before painting, as she would be satisfied if the drawing succeeds. She employs different medium depending on the subject; oil, acrylic, watercolor, color pencil, and pastel. She also creates installations using different materials. Nagai’s works does not carry any specific narratives yet feels like the work of a great story-teller.