Mayuka Yamamoto’s Animal Boys come to London

Mayuka Yamamoto

“Sublime Introspections: Japanese Female Artistry in Sculpture and Painting”

LONDON | 16th November – 16th December 2023

35 Connaught Street, W2 2AZ, London, UK

ROME | 18th November – 16th December 2023
Via dei Pettinari 76, 00186 Rome, ITALY

For Immediate Release:

Mayuka Yamamoto’s Animal Boys come to London

Mayuka Yamamoto’s works lead us into a world of soft colors, where children reveal themselves as “animal boys,” guardians of the deepest secrets of their souls.

Considered one of Japan’s leading contemporary artists of the second generation, Yamamoto paints with oil on canvas, creating images of children with enigmatic traits. Her works reveal an otherworldly calmness, concealing the emotions and psychological states of the characters. Yamamoto invites us to rediscover the fragility of childhood and the unsuspected strength that resides in each of us.

“It seems that my way of preserving this feeling is to continually paint these pictures. I have a certain memory of when I was young: My parents were always working very hard, but Christmas time was our family time together at home. It was a special day. Even now, when I smell the candles on a Christmas cake, my heart returns to my childhood as clear as if it were yesterday. It’s the same feeling as when I finished drawing these pictures. When I look at my work, I feel a little sadness and longing, but also happy.” – Mayuka Yamamoto

“Yamamoto’s children serve as poignant reminders, urging us to contemplate the weight of our words and actions. Through their innocent eyes, they convey a powerful message, compelling us to be mindful custodians of the narratives we weave for future generations. In their universality, they become all our children, beseeching us to safeguard and nurture a world where their tender spirits can flourish, echoing the imperative: ‘Our children, our responsibility, our shared legacy.'” Alexandra Mazzanti – Director of Dorothy Circus Gallery

“In the harsh reality where children’s rights are violated incessantly, Yamamoto’s creations stand as devastating portraits, capturing the profound loss echoing in every violated moment. As the juggernauts of war manipulate our world, these tender depictions become poignant mirrors reflecting the collateral damage—the innocence, dreams, and potential of our shared future slipping away. In the face of powerlessness, these artworks implore us to confront the urgency of protecting the most vulnerable, urging a collective resolve to reclaim the sanctity of childhood amidst the chaos of our times.” Alexandra Mazzanti – Director of Dorothy Circus Gallery

“Sublime Introspections: Japanese Female Artistry in Sculpture and Painting” featuring Mayuka Yamamoto, Karin Iwabuchi and Moe Nakamura opens simultaneously in London and Rome 16 and 18th of November.