Yao Mikami
Led by nature to walk a bridge between worlds, my practice explores indigenous East and West, conscious and subconscious, the visible and invisible.
Inspired by the tradition of Japanese indigenous Shintoism, I work with the spirit in all things. Using the natural pigments of my ancestral and adopted homes, my relationship with the world around me guides my brush to create images that brings the mystical into the material. We are not to be separated from nature.
Working from a meditative or dream state, my work depicts relationships that exist beyond what can be easily spoken about, in the hope that we can have a deeper conversation with more than words.
私は、日本の先住民信仰である神道の伝統に影響を受け、すべてのものに霊が宿ると信じている。私は絵画制作を通して、先住民東洋と西洋、意識と無意識、見える世界と見えない世界が交差するところを探究している。天然絵具を使うことで、自然と繋がり。描くことで霊的なもの、抽象的なものを物質的な世界にもたらすイメージを創り出している。言葉では表現できない世界観を筆を通して描きだしていく。
Yao Mikami is a Japanese artist based in Byron Bay, Australia, whose work combines traditional Western and Eastern art practices with a strong emphasis on sustainability and natural materials. Yao currently focuses on using indigo pigment as a primary medium in her paintings, combining it with egg tempera to create a tactile connection with the canvas. She crafts her own paints using natural materials, including indigo as the central color in her recent works, along with other natural pigments. Her artwork explores the harmony between humanity and the natural world.
Expanding beyond traditional painting, Yao has ventured into performance art, blending visual elements with sound in collaborative projects. Her involvement in developing liquid-light art shows through initiatives like Liquidelic and Awuwa allows her to create moving abstract imagery using liquid and overhead projectors, bridging ancient traditions with contemporary expression.
Through her exploration of materials, techniques, and environmental themes, Yao’s work connects cultures, creativity, and nature. Her active involvement in large-scale permaculture projects in Australia further reflects her commitment to sustainability, integrating ecological principles into both her life and art.
EXHIBITION
2024: Duo Exhibition – “Vortex”, Artier Rencounter, Sydney, Australia
2024: Solo Exhibition – “RYUAI”, ItoCafe Gallery Space, Gifu, Japan
2024: Solo Exhibition – “RYUAI”, Indigo Studio Inbetween Blues, Tokushima, Japan
2024: Group Exhibition – “Healing Art”, H’Art Gallery, Mullumbimby, NSW, Australia
2023: Solo Exhibition – “Imaginative”, Civic Memorial Hall, Mullumbimby, NSW, Australia
2023: Group Exhibition – “Prism VII”, Gallery Art Point, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
2023: Group Exhibition – “Journey Through Visions”, Gallery Cosmosis, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
2023: Duo Exhibition – “Power of the Art”, Eltham Village Gallery, Eltham, NSW, Australia
2022: Solo Exhibition – “Color of Soil”, Gallery Ze, Gifu, Japan
2022: Solo Exhibition – “Color of Soil”, Art Space Todohyo, Toyooka, Japan
2022: Solo Exhibition – “Color of Soil”, Gallery Cafe Taiyou, Aichi, Japan
2022: Solo Exhibition – “Color of Soil”, Gallery Cafe Tutty, Shizuoka, Japan
2022: Solo Exhibition – “Color of Soil”, Indigo Studio Inbetween Blues, Tokushima, Japan
2019: Group Exhibition, Evolve Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
2019: Group Exhibition “Horror Vacui”, Lupine Art Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
2019: Group Exhibition, Island Vibe Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2018: Group Exhibition – “Harmonic Space”, Byron Bay Community Centre, NSW
2018: Group Exhibition “Evolving Woman”, Arvy’s Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
2018: Group Exhibition “Saving Wolf”, Gallery Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
2017: Group Exhibition “Harmonic Temple”, Byron Bay Community Centre, NSW
2016: Group Exhibition, Luminarium Art Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2011: Solo Exhibition, Intro Art Gallery, Nagoya, Japan
Education
2005 – 2009: Bachelor of Visual Communication in Art and Design, Nagoya Zokei University of Art and Design (Nagoya, Japan)
2008: Minerva Art Academy exchange program (Groningen, Netherlands)
2014: Vienna Visionary Art Academy Summer Seminar (Torri Superiore, Italy)
Professional Experience
2009 – 2011: Gallery Assistant, Intro Art Gallery (Nagoya, Japan)
2014 – 2020: Project Manager, Art in Paradise Organization (Byron Bay, Australia)
2021 – 2023: Art Teacher, Private Classes (Byron Bay, Australia)
Awards
2020: Finalist, Dean Cogle Portrait Prize 2020, Dust Temple, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
2023: Semi-Finalist, BAM Art Prize 2023, Byron Art Magazine, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
2024; Finalist , SOHO Art prize, SOHO art gallery, sydney, NSW, Australia
Art Teaching
2021 – Present: Teacher at Yao Art Studio
2022: Teacher at Byron Community College
Performing Arts Projects
Liquidelic (2019–Present)
Visual performance group integrating live visuals with music and dance. https://www.liquidelic.art
Performed at: Lismore Regional Gallery (Lismore), Byron Theatre (Byron Bay), Nimbin Bush Theatre (Nimbin), HOTA (Gold Coast), Powerhouse (Brisbane)
AWUWA (2022–Present)
Japanese ancient song with liquid light duo performance project, visionary chant group.
Performed at: Byron Theatre (Byron Bay), Kohina Hall (Main Arm), Drumball Hall (Mullumbimby), BEMAC (Brisbane)
Elles D Fogg (2022–Present)
Visual lighting and liquid-light show art performance project. http://fogg.com.au/
Performed at: Bluesfest (Byron Bay), Cream Tribute Show (Baroque Theatre, Katoomba, Sydney), Nimbin Roots Festival (Nimbin)
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