Ayako Rokkaku is a self-taught Japanese artist, born in 1982 in Chiba, Japan. From an early age, she showed an interest in drawing, creating doodles that reflected her childlike imagination. Without formal academic training in art, she began her artistic career in 2002, developing a distinctive technique that has positioned her on the international contemporary art scene.
Rokkaku’s technique is characterized by the direct application of acrylic paint with her hands onto surfaces such as corrugated cardboard and canvas, without using brushes or preliminary sketches. This approach allows her to create vibrant, dynamic works full of color and energy. Her compositions often feature large-eyed female figures, influenced by the aesthetics of Japanese manga, immersed in dreamy and abstract landscapes. The spontaneity and freedom of her method evoke the purity and creativity of children’s drawings, elements that Rokkaku values and seeks to preserve in her work.
In 2003, Rokkaku won the Illustration Award at the GEISAI contemporary art fair, organized by renowned artist Takashi Murakami. This recognition boosted her career, leading her to exhibit internationally in countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and Slovakia. Her works have been displayed in prestigious institutions, including the Kunsthal in Rotterdam and the Meulensteen Danubiana Art Museum. Additionally, her art has been acquired by prominent collections, such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa and Museum Voorlinden in the Netherlands.
One of Ayako Rokkaku’s most distinctive features is her practice of live painting. These performances have become an integral part of her career and one of the reasons she has gained international recognition. During these sessions, Rokkaku creates artworks in real-time before an audience, using her hands to apply acrylic paint directly onto large canvases or cardboard panels. This process not only highlights her spontaneous and fluid technique but also allows viewers to experience her creative vision and her ability to transform surfaces into vibrant, colorful scenes.
Live painting also reflects Rokkaku’s artistic philosophy, which is based on the idea of free expression and the enjoyment of the creative moment. During these performances, her interaction with the audience and her playful energy often turn the process into a performative experience that transcends the act of painting itself. These sessions have taken place at various art fairs, museums, and cultural events around the world, solidifying her reputation as an artist who directly connects with her audience.
Rokkaku has held numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout her career. Among the most notable is Colours in My Hand at the Kunsthal in Rotterdam in 2011, where she presented her largest exhibition to date, captivating audiences with her live painting sessions. In 2022, she participated in the exhibition CUTE. WEIRD. FREE. at KÖNIG GALERIE, showcasing the evolution of her style and the depth of her artistic vision.
Ayako Rokkaku’s work has been well-received in the art market, achieving significant prices at auctions and attracting interest from collectors worldwide. Her unique style, which fuses elements of Japanese pop culture with expressionist techniques, has solidified her position as a prominent figure in contemporary art. Additionally, her performative approach, creating live paintings in front of audiences, adds an interactive dimension to her artistic practice, allowing spectators to experience the creative process in real time.
Currently, Ayako Rokkaku resides and works between Tokyo, Berlin, Porto, and Amsterdam, continuing her artistic exploration and actively participating in the international art scene. Her dedication to spontaneous creation and her ability to evoke emotions through her colorful compositions make her an artist whose work continues to resonate with audiences around the world.