APPOART

“When I was a child, my major influence came from Japanese manga”

Audrey Kawasaki is a Japanese-American artist known for her distinctive paintings of young women. Born in 1982 in Los Angeles, California, Kawasaki studied fine art painting at the Pratt Institute in New York for two years before leaving without completing her degree.

Kawasaki’s style is a fusion of Art Nouveau and Japanese manga, with influences from artists like Gustav Klimt and Alphonse Mucha. She works primarily with oil paints applied directly onto smooth wood panels, allowing the wood grain to merge with the image. 

Artistic style:

Kawasaki employs a precise technical style, utilizing oil paints, graphite, and ink on smooth wood panels. This choice of medium allows the natural grain of the wood to interact with her sharp graphic imagery, adding warmth and depth to her compositions. Her artworks are known for their delicate and ethereal qualities, often incorporating soft, muted colors and subtle gradients that contribute to a dreamlike atmosphere.

Thematically, Kawasaki’s work explores contradictions and complexities. The female figures often exist in a sensually esoteric realm, embodying themes of femininity, identity, and emotional depth. They convey introspection and vulnerability, inviting viewers to engage with the emotional narratives portrayed within the artwork. The subjects’ direct gazes and melancholic expressions further enhance the sense of mystery and allure that defines her pieces.

Most important works:

My Dishonest Heart

This piece gained significant recognition when it was featured on the television show LA Ink, where it was tattooed on singer Christina Perri. The painting embodies Kawasaki’s signature style, showcasing a melancholic female figure with a direct gaze, blending innocence with sensuality.

The Dreamer

This artwork is representative of her exploration of the ethereal and the emotional. The subject is depicted in a dreamy state, surrounded by swirling patterns that enhance the sense of otherworldliness. The piece captures the tension between vulnerability and allure.

The Garden

This work illustrates Kawasaki’s ability to integrate natural elements with her figures. The female form is intertwined with floral motifs, reflecting themes of growth, beauty, and the complexity of femininity. The use of wood panels adds depth and warmth, characteristic of her technique.

Exhibitions:

Ghost Stories

Location: Stolen Space Gallery, London, UK

Dates: November 2024

This exhibition will highlight Kawasaki’s exploration of narrative and emotional depth through her signature style, although specific details about the works to be displayed have yet to be announced.