My recent project is a series of oil paintings on canvas about the landscape of East London where I have lived and worked for many years. I have been very much influenced by Western art. However I am aware that my sensibility originated in Japan and shaped my perception. For example the Japanese traditional concept ‘Monono Aware’ (an empathy toward things/the transience of things) always inspires me and is unconsciously in my mind. It urges me to memorize or record what has struck me through drawing, taking pictures and painting. I am intrigued by buildings and the surrounding space. I am often drawn to old buildings, even those decaying and with fading color. Some are wrapped in a lot of history and seem more imaginative to me than new buildings. Consequently I look for a space in a landscape to escape to or to feel comfortable in. I am attracted to the relationship between an intimate space and my own intimacy. I try to paint minimum objects, simplifying the image as much as possible and leaving spaces for me to enter.
CV
Solo Exhibitions
2011
A Little Day Dream I Saw In The Dark, Departure art centre, Limehouse, London
2010
Old Romantic/New Romantic, ING Commercial Banking, 60 London Wall, London
2007
Old Romantic/New Romantic, Departure art center, Limehouse, London
2002
In Praise of Shadows, Off Broadway Market, Hackney, London
2000
Praise of Shadows, The Mill Lane Gallery with Talisman Fine Art, London
1996
Ai-Shu in the East End, Diorama Gallery, London
Selected Group Exhibitions
2015
The Annual Art 2015 Exhibition, The Orangery, Holland Park, London
2014
The Annual Art 2014 Exhibition, The Orangery, Holland Park, London
2013
Random act of artistry 2, Guerilla Galleries, The Daniel Libeskind Space, Islington, London
2013
Candid Arts Exhibition, Angel, London
2013
The Annual Art 2013 Exhibition, The Orangery, Holland Park, London
2012
Open Open 2012, Swiss Cottage Library Gallery, London
2012
It Is Green, Cultivate Gallery, Vyner Street, Hackney, London
2009
Ealinig International Art Exhibition, The International Presbyterian Church, Ealing, London
2009
Departure and Epiphany, St.Anne’s Church, Limehouse, London
2007
Annual Open, Cafe Gallery, Southwark Park, London
2007
M.A.D.E. at Morley, Morley Gallery, London
2006
One Thing in Common, Gallery Kaleidoscope, London
2006
The United Society of Artists’ 85th Annual Exhibition, Cotton Center, London
2005
Mile of Art (Event) ,Broadway Market, Hackney, London
2005
Waterloo Gallery Summer Open 2005, London
2005
M.A.D.E. at Morley, Morley Gallery, London
2004
The Inspired Art Fair 2004, The Truman Brewery, London
2004
Originals 04 The Contemporary Printmaking Show, Mall Galleries, London
2003
M.A.D.E. at Morley, Morley Gallery, London
2003
Late Spring Show, Off Broadway, Broadway Market, Hackney, London
2002
Hidden Art of Hackney, Off Broadway, Broadway Market, Hackney, London
2002
Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
2002
Sefton Open Exhibition 2002, The Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport
2001
Small is Beautiful XIX Still Life, Flowers East, London
1999
The Art of Imagination, Mall Galleries, London
1998
New English Art Club, Mall Galleries, London
1997
Art in Business organised by East London Small Business Centre, London
1995
Art Aid in association with Marie Curie Cancer Care, 77 Cornhill, London
Awards
1999
The Ward C. Rogers Memorial Awards 2nd Prize, The Society For Art of Imagination
1997
Owen Rowley Prize, London Guildhall University (The former Metropolitan University)
Commission Work
2009
London City Mission
Collections DfEE.; BHA Network Photography Ltd.; City Side Regeneration Ltd.; Inn or Out Ltd.; Product Design Solutions Ltd.; Transport Design.; Tomcat Design and private collections in England, Scotland, Holland, Italy, Australia, USA
Publications
2011
Preview, East End Life – colour reproduction “Westminster from boat”, “The unforgettable night”, “Merry-go-round” issue 855, 18 – 24 Apr
2007
‘New Romance’ preview, The Wharf – colour reproduction “Waterloo Bridge”, “Merry-go-round”, “Leaving for tomorrow, looking at future” issue 459, Oct 4
2007
‘City Love’ preview, East London Advertiser, Thur Sep 27
2007
‘The same but different?’ preview, East End Life – colour reproduction “Let’s go home II” ,issue 678 1-7 Oct
2004
Catalogue for The Inspired Art Fair 2004 – colour reproduction “ My favorite place”, “Rialto Bridge”.
2000
Catalogue for The Art of Imagination – b/w reproduction “Dragging My Heart”
2000
‘Praise of Shadows’ preview, NorthWest magazine – colour reproduction “Cheer up”, issue 38, Apr
1999
London Guildhall University, Handbook ‘99 – colour reproduction “Fruit Stall in Petticoat Lane” “ A True Man in Brick Lane” , “Gateway to the East!”
2000
London Guildhall University, G Echo magazine – colour reproduction “A True Man in Brick Lane” , Oct
1997
‘Creative accounting’ review by Jessica Odubayo, East End Life, 24 – 30 Nov
1998
‘Ai – Shu in Brick Lane’ Review by Steven Quigley, Notice Board (London Guildhall University Former Metropolitan University) 27 Mar
1996
‘Ai – Shu in the East End’ preview, The Nichi – Ei Times, No. 104, 15 Feb
Education
1997 – 1999
London Guildhall University, MA Painting
1992 – 1997
London Guildhall University, BA( Hons) Fine Art
1990 – 1992
London Guildhall University, Certificate in Painting
1989 – 1990
Heatherley School of Fine Art
1988
Moved to England
1985 – 1988
Graphic Designer with Standard Publicity Ltd. in Japan
1983 – 1985
Graphic Designer with Toppan Design Studio in Japan
1982 – 1983
Ochanomizu Art School in Japan