Yumi Asaba

I am a contemporary artist who continuously pursues unique expression at the intersection of iconic pop culture and neo-conceptual art.

My career began with a major turning point: winning the Turner Acryl Award Grand Prize in 1997. From that time, as a painter and a conceptual innovator, two passions have always coexisted within me.

One is the power of visual communication that transcends borders, symbolized by "Pai Roach Moyoko," a character beloved by many throughout Asia. Through projects for the Taiwanese government, department store promotions, and work with companies such as NEC, Canon, and Kawasaki, I have delivered the overwhelming energy of characters to society.

The other is the academic painting technique that I have rigorously honed over 15 years under the tutelage of a Japanese master. While meeting the demands of sophisticated commercial design, I have never forgotten the profound depths of classical techniques and the continuous refinement of my skills.

This dual path—a seemingly contradictory combination of "pop-inspired spontaneity" and "classical discipline"—shapes the core of my current work: "neo-conceptual character art."

My latest project, "CidderApetZ," embodies the philosophy of "Kotodama Art" (the visualization of the soul residing in words), a philosophy I've cherished for many years. My current challenge is to transform the invisible energy lurking beneath words into unique characters, constructing a "cyber garden" where logic and fluidity intersect.

I hope my art can be a "transformation switch," allowing viewers to shed their social burdens and rediscover the joy of playing freely. I want to celebrate the diverse characteristics each individual possesses, not as a "wall," but as a "shining ability" unique to each person. I will continue to evolve my expression to become a bridge to such an inclusive future.