Interview
Rikako Kagawa
Rikako graduated from the Gakushuin University, Faculty of Language, in the Department of Philosophy, where she studied aesthetic art history.
As a writer, Rikako writes for books, magazines and the web. She also works as an illustrator. She published a picture dictionary, ‘Chocolate Word Dictionary’ that introduces various words related to chocolate with pictures. The book has been translated and published in China, Taiwan and South Korea.
Having realized her mission, Rikako has devoted herself to her creative activities as an artist. She continues to create her work with a cosmic sensibility.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am a cosmic artist. The word ‘cosmic artist’ may seem strange, but I draw inspiration from the universe. I've loved drawing since I was a child, but my beginning as an artist goes back about 10 years.
I studied art history at university and graduate school. I wanted to be a curator because I wanted to convey the wonderful works of art that overflow in this world to many people. After graduating, I became a writer and wrote articles about art and travel. I was not a curator, and I was far from painting.
About 10 years ago, because of an illness in my family, I reconsidered what I really wanted to do. I decided to paint and live. This I did without any hesitation. Having started off drawing illustrations and writing books, for the past 5 years I’ve been presenting my works in solo exhibitions. I’m also active in live painting and mural production in collaboration with other artists.”
“When talking to someone, that person's energy can sometimes appear as a mysterious vision. The figure that appears at this time is synchronized with the person's body, but more clearly embodies the essence of the person's soul. Often, works are created by touching not only people, but also sounds, scents, and the energy of the land.”
What inspires you most?
“What inspires me is the world we live in: the energy that fills this universe. I draw concrete paintings with motifs such as the universe, ancient civilization, mysticism, religion, myths and legends. I also create abstract paintings with music, images, light, air and the energy of the natural world. Inspiration can come when I’m drawing, or it can be a vision when I’m meditating.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“‘Everyone is light’ is my theme. All living beings in this world are by nature pure and brilliant. However, when we live on this earth, we forget that we are light due to the influence of experience, memory, environment, and even gravity. As a result, many people identify themselves through comparison and evaluation with others, and are unable to find their true value.
By remembering that we are the light, we may be aware of our true value and live more positively towards ourselves. Through drawing, I came to love what and who I was. For me, painting is the most joyful and most natural thing to do.”
How would you describe your work?
“My creations are very spiritual. Creation itself is very meditative. One of the categories of my work is ‘Spiritual Portrait’, which is an order work that reads the voice of the person's soul through dialogue, and depicts the original soul and higher self. In the case of Spiritual Portrait, I focus on a specific individual when drawing. But in other creations, I read and draw that which was the most inspirational at that time.”
What artists influence you most?
“I am energized by the many artists of all ages, east and west, who are devoted to their creations with courage, inspiration and energy. For that reason, it's hard to give a single name. The ones who have the strongest influence are the Italian Renaissance painters such as Sandro Botticelli and Fra Angelico. I want to express the heavenly frequency that I feel when I see their paintings.
Among Japanese artists, I love Yayoi Kusama and Shisuko Tomoto, both female painters. I am always impressed by the ever-expanding strength and energy of Yayoi Kusama. I am also inspired by the straightforward and passionate expression that Shisuko Tomoto displays. She draws what she wants to draw. Every time an artist sees a work, it gives a fresh impression.”
“Not only does the motif I draw represent the existence of light, but my work stimulates the viewer's own element of light because I, the creator, positively capture my energy.
Through the existence and energy of the light, I draw. And I hope that each person who sees my work will remember that they are the light.”
What is your favorite artwork and why?
“‘Holy Dragons on the Map of Time’ stands out for me. This work is a picture of the concept of a map, of the flow of time in me. And on the belt of that time, I draw myself at different ages in the form of a dragon. Before I was in my mother's body, my fetal self, my 0-year-old self, my 5-year-old self, and even my 100-year-old, 110-year-old, and 120-year-old self. In the process of drawing each self, I interacted with myself at that age, and experienced healing and forgiveness. Of course, there are some of ‘me’ that I don't remember, and some others whom I haven't experienced yet. But I repeated self-dialogue that transcended time and space.
For the viewer, each dragon will be himself and they will also experience self-dialogue. A 5-year-old dragon— that is, a person who cares about himself— will purify himself by interacting with the dragon. When exhibiting at the 2021 solo exhibition, many people took time to have a self-dialogue in front of the painting.
I hope that each viewer will face him/herself and shed light on themselves through the painting. In that sense, I think this painting is a very significant piece of work.”
What is your creative process like?
"I am constantly asking myself what I want to draw. That's natural for me. In my daily creations, I draw small card-sized drawings to express the first inspiration I receive in my daily life, or by some kind of stimulus while it is still fresh. This little drawing is named ‘Rikako no Carte’.
In order to express that inspiration even more strongly, I draw with paints and pastel. As for the color to draw as light, I introspect and find a color that suits the expression at that time. The act of drawing a picture is close to the feeling of adjusting the frequency of energy beautifully, and finishing it so that a comfortable sound can be played.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art is an entity that can convey an essential message to people, independent of material, economic and social rules. As artists, we are shifting from an era when it was good to live according to social norms— especially in Japan— to an era where we follow our own values and pave the way for ourselves. The existence of an artist and a work of art can present the pure essence in an easy-to-understand manner, even for those who are not accustomed to looking at their essence. Artists are necessary because it is the time for everyone to re-examine their essence more deeply.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Selected solo exhibitions:
2021
‘Rikako Kagawa exhibition - purify’, Setagaya Art Museum Annex Kiyokawa Taiji Memorial Gallery , Tokyo, Japan.
‘mique no uchu, uchu no mique’, mique, Tokyo, Japan.2019
‘Blessing by Rikako’, Plus Veganique, Tokyo, Japan.
‘Chocolate Ji ten-ten -Pillar of the light’, Morioka-shoten, Tokyo, Japan.2018
‘The universe of Rikako’, mique, Tokyo, Japan.
‘Rikako no carte’, m.Room, Tokyo, Japan.2017
‘Daily Fantasy’, Aibagawanoie, Yamaguchi, Japan.2016
Dolce mondo’, Mikissimes Paris, Tokyo, Japan.2015
‘Rikako in wonder land’, FINEL, Tokyo, Japan.
‘Mountains & Buildings’, gallery 233, Tokyo, Japan.Selected Live painting:
2021
Solo Live painting, Motosu lake, Yamanashi, Japan.2020
Live painting with Izumi, Ease Studio, Tokyo, Japan.
Solo Live painting, Motosu lake, Yamanashi, Japan.2019
Live painting with Izumi, Sunset Blue, Aichi, Japan.
Live painting with Izumi & Pacomie, Okinawa dialog, Okinawa, Japan.Participation history of art projects & grants:
2021
Participate in ‘One hundred flowers of Setagaya art-Setagaya Culture program-business Recruitment’.2020
Participate in ‘Support Program for Arts and Culture’, Tokyo.
Received a subsidy from the Agency for Cultural Affairs ‘Continuing Support Project for Cultural Arts Activities’, Japan.”
