Minami, is this your first time in Vienna? In general, is this your first time in Europe? What are your impressions so far?
Yes, this is my first time in Vienna and Europe. I arrived just yesterday and came straight to SPARK from the airport. The flight was long, so I was quite tired at first, but as soon as I arrived and was surrounded by all the people, I felt energized again. The opening day of the fair was fantastic, and I’m sure the rest of my stay will be just as enjoyable and filled with new experiences.
How did you plan the booth with gezwanzig gallery? You are exhibiting a large-scale painting on canvas, a floor installation, and silk screen print editions—how did this selection come together?
When the gallery first contacted me and invited me to exhibit in their booth, it was a great pleasure. I knew immediately that I wanted to present something on a large scale—something new. I decided to occupy the entire booth with one work and created a painting that is two meters high and ten meters long. The silk screen print edition came naturally to me, as I work extensively in graphics. I studied graphic arts and worked for several years in a printing company.
Can you elaborate on the titles of your works and how they reflect the conceptual aspects of them?
As a child, I often imagined the architecture and surroundings of my hometown, Osaka, in black and white. This was a way for me to escape reality, and that experience has greatly influenced my work. To this day, I continue working with geometric forms and a black-and-white aesthetic.
Where do you work, and what does your studio look like?
I run a space in Osaka called JITSUZAISEI, which is also known for its black-and-white interior. It spans three floors and includes a bar, a gallery that holds the same name, and my studio on the top floor. I usually work there, but for my latest work, RETINAL MEMORY, 2025, I needed a larger space to accommodate the canvas. I worked on it for about two months.
JITSUZAISEI is a place to visit if you are coming to Osaka. Also, you might already know the art scene in Japan is very interesting.
Have you ever worked with color, or is your home and wardrobe strictly in a black-and-white code?
No, and I don’t think I ever will. I understand that many artists work with color, but for me, working in black and white is equivalent to how others might approach color. I believe my shapes and compositions will evolve and go in different directions, but I don’t see myself incorporating color into my work.
My home is not strictly black and white, but my wardrobe is, also my hair is almost black and white. So yes, black, and white rule is not only in my work but also in my private life in some spheres.
Can you describe your working process?
I apply paint directly onto the canvas, the shapes grow intuitively during the process. My compositions create different paths where the viewer’s eye can wander or get lost. It’s like a playground—almost a labyrinth. I am very interested in three-dimensionality and shifting perspectives. Architecture plays a significant role in my work, but ultimately, everything comes down to my imagination.
Video games have also had a big influence on me—especially Super Mario, which I started playing with my brothers and later became deeply attached to.
You often mention architecture, but does nature play any role in your work?
Where I come from, there are very few green places—almost none at all. Everything is covered in buildings and urban structures. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate nature more.
Is there anything hidden in your work—any messages or symbols you’d like to share?
Not really. I am more interested in creating a space where the viewer can discover their own meanings and associations. The interpretation of my work depends entirely on the viewer’s background, which is what makes it so fascinating to me—there are endless ways to read it.
Your work seems like it could translate well into applied arts, such as textile design. Do you have any plans in this direction?
Yes, I’ve already explored this. One of my first experiments was to design my own phone case, followed by a scarf. I definitely see possibilities in this direction. However, I also feel that my work is moving toward Virtual Reality. That’s what’s coming next, in my opinion.
What are your upcoming plans in collaboration with gezwanzig gallery?
We will continue working together. If the opportunity arises for a solo show at the gallery, I would be delighted. I would also be happy to participate in the group exhibitions they organize.
Minami Miyajima – www.minamimiyajima.com, www.instagram.com/mnmmyjm/
Gallery statement – SPARK Art Fair 2025: www.gezwanzig.com
Minami Miyajima, born in 1997 in Osaka, is a contemporary artist working in various media, including graphic design and illustration. Her signature work features densely packed squares, and she runs the art gallery „JITSUZAISEI“ since April 2021. Her art, inspired by childhood experiences of visualizing abstract landscapes in black and white, explores objectivity and cityscapes through minimal lines and pixelation. Initially personal, her work evolved into abstract representations of urban spaces, connecting with universal memories. Over time, her style has expanded, using space as both subject and material to depict evolving, inorganic landscapes linked to her inner world.
»a deep engagement with geometry, order and the perception of space and form«
The artist creates works that are characterized by a high degree of precision, repetitive structures, and a keen sense of visual rhythm. Her art is both analytical and intuitive, characterized by a deep engagement with geometry, order, and the perception of space and form. Miyajima’s works often follow a clear, almost algorithmic logic reminiscent of architectural grids or mathematical patterns. In her compositions, she uses modular elements – mostly squares or rectangles – which she arranges, layers, or varies in a grid. This approach is reminiscent of digital image structures or printing techniques, but always remains characterized by a fine handwriting.
