Yamaguchi Ai

After enrolling in the Department of Crafts at Joshibi University of Art and Design in 1995, Ai Yamaguchi co-founded the group ‘ninyu works’ in 1999. Her work is rooted in the culture and customs of the Edo period, particularly through depictions of courtesans living in a fictional teahouse called ‘touge no ochaya’. Guided by her desire to create things that are ‘simply and purely beautiful,’ Yamaguchi has developed a unique artistic world. Her distinctive futon canvas, where she wraps panels in blankets and cotton fabrics, exemplifies her innovative approach. She also explores this world using various materials such as Japanese paper, wood, shells, and ceramic plates. While inheriting elements of traditional Japanese beauty, including calligraphy, rinpa art, and kimono patterns, Yamaguchi incorporates modern sensibilities into her work. Through delicate and graceful lines, she pursues an ideal form of beauty, aiming to create a new kind of bijinga (paintings of beautiful women).