Introducing the art of Motoko (Interview)

MOTOKO

DESTIG TORONTO - ART | DESIGN | TRAVEL - ISSUE 09 / JANUARY 2021

BEST OF 2020 | TODAY'S GREAT CANADIAN ARTISTS | SPECIAL ART FEATURES | HOT PICKS

"HOW MARVELOUS THAT THEY BROUGHT FORTH SUCH MAGNIFICIENCE FROM THEIR BRUSHES AND CHISELS." - ANONYMOUS

"My roots in the Japanese culture and Zen philosophy strongly influence my work. I am also guided by the concept of a peaceful, gentle, and harmonious way of life, which I believe is much-needed especially in this time when there is much violence, conflict, and suffering in the world. My art combines positive energy with the concepts of happiness and balance."

0202 FO TSEB GITSED

Motoko is one of the most recognized artists on the

Please share with us a summary your background.

Sunshine Coast of BC, Canada. Born and raised in

I was born and raised in Japan, where I was educated and

Japan, she immigrated to Canada in 1992. Inspired

worked as a dietitian. In 1992, I immigrated to Canada.

by the diversity of nature and human emotions, she

This is where I started to pursue my lifelong passion which

uses her fine sense of color, design, and texture to

was to create art. Mostly self-thought, I now operate my

create abstract paintings in acrylics and encaustics.

own private art gallery in Garden Bay on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.

Her goal is to create art which inspires and generates peaceful and harmonious energy in people’s hearts

Share with us some insight into your process.

and minds. Motoko’s art is exhibited in her own

A piece of art starts with a vision that I have for the final

private gallery and on her website. She is also

outcome. I let this vision guide me through the creative

represented by Van Dop Gallery, BC. Motoko’s art

process, with my intuition for colour, texture, and shape.

graces private homes and corporate spaces in Canada, USA, Europe, and Japan. Her work has been

How would you describe the unique DNA of your art?

featured in books, magazines, television programs,

My roots in the Japanese culture and Zen philosophy

and in many solo and group art exhibitions.

strongly influence my work. I am also guided by the

"A piece of art starts with a vision that I have for the final outcome.

I let this vision guide me through the creative process, with my intuition for colour, texture, and shape."

"My favorite theme is water.

I find that people have a natural attraction and love for water.

Perhaps it’s because 60% of our bodies consist of water. It’s a source of life, and has a calming, cleansing, and healing effect."

concept of a peaceful, gentle, and harmonious way of life, which I believe is much-needed especially in this time when there is much violence, conflict, and suffering in the world. My art combines positive energy with the concepts of happiness and balance.

Share with us some of the themes you've explored.

My favorite theme is water. I find that people have a natural attraction and love for water. Perhaps it’s because 60% of our bodies consist of water. It’s a source of life, and has a calming, cleansing, and healing effect.

The sounds and sight of water inspires creativity and inspiration. This is a theme that I have worked on and will continue to explore.

What do people say when they discover your work?

Words that people have used to describe my art include healing, inspiring, peaceful, calming, harmonious, and joyful. I find immense joy in knowing that my art awakens these emotions from people.

"The sounds and sight of water inspires creativity and inspiration.

This is a theme that I have worked on and will continue to explore."

"Words that people have used to describe my art include healing, inspiring, peaceful, calming, harmonious, and joyful. I find immense joy in knowing that my art awakens these emotions from people."

"I predominantly paint in acrylics.

I like it because it is very versatile when it comes to building texture."

How do you want your art to impact the viewer?

What are you currently working on?

My goal is to create art that generates a calming effect on

I am currently working on a series that depict waterfalls.

people, to promote peace, harmony, and joy in their lives. I wish my work to gently touch people’s emotions and allow

What do you feel when you are creating?

happiness and serenity to surface even amidst chaos.

Just living in that moment is what I love when I am creating art. There is nothing else but me, the canvas, the

What ideas are you interested to explore in the future?

brush, the paint, and the present moment. It is the very

I am interested in exploring more texture and depth in my

concept of Zen… being mindful of what I am doing, in a

work, while at the same time experimenting with simple

calm and peaceful way.

and understated compositions. I would like to explore ways on how I can evoke positive emotions from viewers

What are your views on the role of art in today's world?

through simplicity and subtlety.

For me, art helps us in the pursuit of happiness. I see enough suffering, conflict, sorrow and tragedy in the

What attracts you to your preferred mediums?

world today. Art brings joy to people when even they are

I predominantly paint in acrylics. I like it because it is very

in the midst of a difficult situation. I believe that art

versatile when it comes to building texture.

brings positive energy to our lives.

Tell us about British Columbia and how it influences your art.

British Columbia, Canada is one of the most beautiful places to live in the world. My art is definitely influenced by the natural beauty that surrounds me. Most of my themes are inspired by nature that I see in my daily life around where I live. I do not create landscape paintings but my emotional response to the beauty of nature around me is manifested in my abstract expressions.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your creative expression?

Like most people, I miss social interactions. I also feel compassion for those who are suffering due to the pandemic. During these times when isolation is the preferred norm, I found more time to focus on my art. I feel that this had a positive effect on my creative expression.

Website: www.motoko.ca

"My art is definitely influenced by the natural beauty that surrounds me."