Much of Mari Ito’s work is autobiographical. Among the strikingly colourful kaleidoscopic symmetry, she talks of personal desires and feelings. Ito, portraying herself in a metallic gold swim suit can often be found diving in and out of her symbolic flowers. Having grown up and studied art in Japan, her visual language bears those cultural hallmarks. Living in Barcelona since 2006, Ito’s unique bicultural approach encompasses Nihonga, the traditional Japanese style of painting, layering mineral pigments and sumi ink on washi paper, with an air of Mediterranean storytelling freedom and humour.
Central to Mari’s artistic exploration is the universal theme of human desire, a narrative woven with threads of happiness, sorrow, and even wrath. Through her captivating creations, she beckons us to contemplate the intricate tapestry of human emotion, unearthing the seeds that shape our existence. One cannot help but be drawn to Mari’s recurring motif of flowers with faces. This whimsical touch reveals a distinctive aspect of her artistic identity, infused with a delightful sense of humor. It is through these charming blooms that Mari invites us to share her unique perspective on the world.
Mari Ito has exhibited extensively from Tokyo, Barcelona, Istanbul, Palermo and Basel to Mumbai at notable art fairs and galleries, and has collaborated with the Reina Sofia and Miro Foundation museums as well as with renowned brands such as Lilien Berg (2016), Bershka (2017), Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) in Barcelona’s Universitat Metro Station (2017) and Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi (2018).
She has also shown her work at the Royal Botanical Garden Madrid and Gaudí’s Casa Vicens, Barcelona.
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