Aida Studios / Emiko Aida
She was born in Tokyo, Japan and graduated from MA, Fine Art, The Tokyo University of Arts / MA Printmaking, Royal College of Art, UK. She is currently a painter, printmaker and mixed media artist living in London, UK. Her work is exhibited in the U.K., the U.S.A., Italy, China and Japan and in many private, public and corporate collections including the New York Public Library, USA, Guangdong Museum of Art, China and Ashmolean Museum, UK. Her works were included in 2018 The Columbia Threadneedle Prize, UK, 2019 Personal Structures, Venice Art Biennale, Italy, 2021 London Art Biennale, UK. She was awarded at
2014 16th SPACE International Print Biennial, Korea, Vivien Leigh Bequest Prize, Ashmolean Museum, UK and Thomas Word Award, National Open Competition, UK. Her publications are in 2010 'PRINTMAKERS TODAY', Schiffer Publishing, USA, 2015 ‘Scintilla 18’, The Journal of the Vaughan Association, UK. She taught Printmaking at the Hampstead School of Art from 2004 for 10 years, and has been a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers since 2006.
Please tell us more about your background and how you began creating art?
I was born in Jindajii, Tokyo, a town with a Japanese temple dedicated to the Water God. Water is worshipped there, and growing up, bushes, botanical gardens, wetlands, streams and rivers surrounded me. My ancestors and family took Buddhism teaching and held a small temple at home next to a miniature Shinto shrine. Bell sounds from a Christian monastery nearby and the Buddhist temple were my daily clock. I find nature to be the element I most strongly connect to, both spiritually and emotionally. Over 20 years, I have lived in London. My artistic outpourings show a quest to return to my roots.
What does your art aim to say to the viewers?
I create my work with a great hope of enriching the human soul. Through my experience, I have learned how harmful un-nourished minds are to other human beings. I want to wash up the dark minds and turn them brighter with my works.
Do you have an essential philosophy that guides you in your creative expression?
Buddhism has a strong philosophical side. My philosophy is spiritual, not just Buddhism. I am open to other spiritual thoughts and sciences, which are searching for invisible phenomena, unified field and oneness. I am trying to join in the search.
What art marketing activity do you put into practice regularly that works most successfully for you?
I have my Instagram account and regularly upload images; and I created my new website last year. Occasionally, I will take opportunities to advertise my works on galleries’ or publishing companies’ websites and competitions.
Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your daily routine when working?
My mediums are oil on canvas and etching. I prepare my canvas. It takes time, but I want to get the correct surface for myself. Before I pain on it, I under-draw and examine my ideas on my computer, which is easier and time economical. Painting with oil often needs longer drying time to paint further layers. Etching is also a long process. I am trying to make some schedules, but always facing unexpected accidents which extend the process.
Having a cup of coffee with my favourite sweets gives me a good start in my studio, and then I turn to the procedures, like making canvases, cutting paper, packaging works to post, making a list of works and so on. And eventually I can face my work with a sign of relief.
How much planning goes into each artwork?
I have done most of the planning before I paint on the canvas. I prefer neat surface impression to layers of coarse action markings. Even with well-planned processes, there are miscalculations and accidents that happen. How to take the unexpected matters into the plans has both sides of frustration and joyfulness. In the end, the completion comes naturally. The paintings guide me.
What’s the essential element in your art?
I pour invisibility, love of nature, and spirituality into my work. They exist in the space between visible objects like petals and flowers.
In your opinion, what role does the artist have in society?
To me, it is like a soldier / warrior with a mission to open up the human mind, giving them spaces to be aware of current invisible matters in humanity and universe. Before I travel from my flat to the studio, I face and salute to a mirror and say ‘Mission starts!’. This is a fun moment I created recently, and I tumble into worlds of ‘Mission Impossible’ or ‘Wonder Woman’ films.
Are there any projects you are currently working on and able to speak about?
I used to use images of Lotus in my paintings. Since last year, I have painted images of Magnolia flowers with light in a series. In the near future, I will move on to other flowers. I visualize total flower paintings combined with 3D works displayed in a space which is bordered by land /a sacred barrier - like a temple and shrine with my works. I don’t know when it is happening or if it is happening. It may continue as my life work.
