It was three months ago that I first stepped off the plane in my new home of New York City.  I am often overcome with gratitude and astonishment that I managed to move to a place that had so often only been a dream. Since arriving, I have recorded as many stories as possible, collecting them in a series entitled The Commuter — on display at Takumen LIC from December 5th to January 5th.

Within the span of a year and a half, I moved from Japan to the UK and then to Brooklyn. My newfound lifestyle has exposed me to an array of experiences and uncovered the transience of life. The Commuter is a collection reflecting on that discovery, the result of yearning to memorialize mundane moments that are often overlooked.

After relocating, I have encountered incredible stories, gathering serendipitous anecdotes along the way: from unusual interactions with subway commuters to hilarious nights of strangers becoming friends. While I delight in my life in New York, I also wanted to highlight the challenging aspects of moving to a new country for the first time. After months of sleeping on the floor, scary moments in my neighborhood, and getting used to a new culture, I have found that difficulties contain their own beauty.

It has been approximately a year and a half since I left my home in Japan. Through this adventure I have learned more about both the world and myself; and one lingering thought remains: it is important to never stop creating during these trying times.

How can you stay creatively motivated when you feel unrest? How can you keep moving when you don’t have the space, time, or energy to move? Time and time again we are faced with questions like these and find ourselves lost with forgotten dreams on the back burner. It is not easy to rekindle life back into passions, but one line at a time I have attempted to fill my days with art.

While living in Cambridge, I commuted along the River Cam to my studio every day. I was greeted by the piercing, morning rays of sun, the deep blues of the river, and the lush greens of the meadows. When I see the colorful hues and brush strokes that populate my paintings, I am transported back to those peaceful moments. I continue to preserve memories in this way as I navigate the hustle and bustle of New York. 

I’m grateful that you stumbled upon this space with me. Each one of these paintings represents a personal story that has inspired me, and I hope they will do the same for you.