Lives and works in Osaka, Japan & New York City, New York
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Tell us about yourself, how did you become an artist?
I grew up in Osaka, and studied in Sydney, Tokyo, Boston, Taipei and Paris. After studying in Paris, I started to pay more attentions to Japanese art, design and cultures, and began photography.
V Concerto1 #620, 2021, 39.1Wx49.4H, oil on canvas
What is your background? and how did it inform the focus of your creative exploration or the medium you're currently working with?
I studied urban planning/landscape design in college, and enjoyed sewing bags and dresses for myself, family and friends. My mother who has been drawing and painting since she was very young always has been taught me a lot of art in general throughout my life and, a couple of years ago, I picked up oil-painting. 
work in progress/garden series
What ideas interested you in the beginning of your practice, which ideas have you continued to explore, and where have they led you?
It was more fun when the paintings turned into something that I didn’t plan to do. I do have drafts but I also respect my improvises.
Who were and are the biggest sources of your inspiration?
Matisse, Kandinsky and Kono Takashi (Japanese graphic designer)
work in progress/garden series
Where do you find inspiration?
Classic music, gardens and American National Parks
Is there are a single work, project, or series that is pivotal in your current trajectory?
It would be the grand piano series.
Carnaval #716, 2021, 39.1Wx49.2H, oil on canvas
How did it begin? and how did it evolve?
A while back, I started working on paper collage illustrations for all the theatrical shows and concerts I attended during my stay in NYC. When I came back to Japan, I started working on abstract paper collage, then abstract and grand piano in oil painting.
studioview/classic music series
What were important lessons in the process that you’ve carried forward with you?
Keep painting.
What are you working on now?
I am working on American National Park series such as Joshua Tree, Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
Sonata5 #628, 2021, 49.2Wx39.1H, oil on canvas
If you could go back in time to the very beginning of your art practice and give your younger self a single piece of advice what would it be?
Be bold!
studioview/what I am working on now
About the Artist
Based in Osaka, Japan & New York City, New York
Hikaru O is an artist based both in Japan and USA. Her paintings have been exhibited in galleries and private collections across the United States and in Australia, East Asia and Europe.
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hikaruo.com
