Ayaka Torimoto paints portraits of fictional boys and girls with strikingly expressive eyes. These eyes, constructed by borrowing shapes from animals and plants, incorporate non-human elements into the human face, resulting in uniquely captivating characters.

At the same time, the stylization emphasizes childlike innocence, while the references to natural motifs highlight a sense of transparency. This combination makes her subjects appear even purer and more untainted.

The “innocence” depicted here does not so much represent actual children, but rather symbolizes an unrestricted way of thinking, a worldview free of division, and the sensations of an earlier time before complexity was known—echoing the qualities of early childhood.

Torimoto is also influenced by early Renaissance tempera paintings, and her brushwork carries a faint resonance of religious art. These elements evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when values such as “justice” or “righteousness” seemed to be clearly defined, while also suggesting a contrast with today’s world where values are intertwined in complex ways.

The exhibition title, “Bluer Than Anything Else,” reflects these themes. Blue signifies not only calmness and melancholy, but also transparency and purity. The children Torimoto paints may be seen as symbols of defenseless existence, embodying a fragile vulnerability that resonates with compassion and universal love.

We invite you to experience the distinctive atmosphere of Torimoto’s work—the bold yet delicate brushstrokes that fill the canvas, the sense of distance between viewer and subject, and her uniquely nuanced color palette.