Kawata Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition by the artist Yurika Hashimoto.

Yurika Hashimoto is an artist who explores new possibilities in painting, taking the traditional materials and techniques of Nihonga as her point of departure. She studied Japanese painting at Kyoto University of the Arts, where both her undergraduate and graduate work focused on carefully reexamining the qualities of traditional materials such as mineral pigments and washi paper.

Her works often feature gentle colors and familiar, intimate motifs. However, the paintings extend beyond an immediate visual impression, drawing the viewer’s gaze deeper into the surface. Through layered pigments, an attentive treatment of the support, and elements of collage, Hashimoto creates pictorial depth that evokes a shifting sensation between what is visible and what gradually fades from view.

Rather than remaining confined within the conventional framework of Nihonga, Hashimoto’s practice engages directly with the nature of materials themselves, quietly questioning what it means to paint in a contemporary context. The coexistence of delicacy and tension in her work softly resonates with each viewer’s own memories and sensibilities.

This exhibition presents a selection of Hashimoto’s recent works, offering an overview of her current artistic practice.
We invite you to experience the subtle presences within the paintings and the quiet transformations brought about by their materials.

Instagram : @yurika_hsmt