Emi Kuraya’s Ongoing Exploration of Girlhood on Canvas

It was none other than renowned contemporary artist Takashi Murakami who first recognized Emi Kuraya’s talent. Still a student at art school at the time, Kuraya caught Murakami’s attention when he came across her work from a group exhibition on social media. He reached out, and not long after, she was exhibiting solo shows at Kaikai Kiki Gallery, drawing attention from both Japanese and international audiences.

But looking back, Kuraya recalls feeling uncertain during those early days. ‘At that time, I didn’t really know what kind of artist I was, or even if I could call my work painting,’ she reflects.

Kuraya originally aspired to be an animator. Drawing girl characters had always been her hobby since childhood. However, as she delved deeper into academic painting and art history during her studies, she began to question whether it was acceptable to depict characters on canvas in a fine art context.

‘Artists like Mr. and ob were already creating anime-inspired work, so I was still in the process of figuring out why I was painting that kind of imagery on canvas myself.’

Today, she has found her answer. Her stylized girls now appear on canvas with vibrant expressions, bridging the gap between her childhood passion and her academic training in painting. When asked who these girls are, she answers: ‘They could be someone I saw walking along Otome Road in Ikebukuro, or someone I know. They’re not me, but in the sense that they reflect my experiences and what I’ve seen, maybe they are a kind of self-portrait.’

Kuraya has painted countless girls over the years, yet she never tires of them. ‘As my own daily life and experiences change, so do the girls I draw. With each new painting, they keep evolving.’

The artist’s work can be viewed on her Instagram account and on the Perrotin gallery website.