Archive: Breathing

Embracing the Power of the Present Moment through Art

Welcome to the archive of the "Breathing" exhibition. This special showcase took place in Kyoto during April 24th to May 7th, 2023, providing a platform for me to share my art with a diverse audience.

In this collection, you will be immersed in the heartfelt reflections of my artistry—a journey that encompasses the power of breathing and the profound exploration of self-discovery.

Throughout the exhibition, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Yuri Davison, an equally talented emerging artist. We met back in 2019 through social justice and mental health advocacy.

Hence we have never met in person until this exhibition, our creative exchange has enriched our artistic bond, influencing the evolution of our respective approaches.

In each stroke of the brush and vibrant hue, I sought to capture the essence of a transformative moment—a time when I found solace in the present moment, allowing life to unfold naturally. It is my hope that these artworks will inspire you to embark on your own journey of self-reflection and discover the beauty within.

Welcome to "Breathing," an intimate exploration of faith, self-discovery, and the remarkable journey that unfolds when we simply allow ourselves to breathe and be.

Lily Okamoto & Yuri Davison

Lily Okamoto and Yuri Davison are two emerging artists who share a deep connection through their experiences living abroad as Japanese women, and their shared passion for social justice and mental health advocacy.

While they had never met in person, their friendship has been cultivated through their shared interests in human rights, feminism, and art. Both Lily and Yuri ground their lives in art, which allows them to breathe and explore the world around them.

Together, Lily and Yuri aim created a harmonious balance of light and shadow, hope and despair, in their works. Our art exhibition provided an immersive experience that will transport you to a world of beauty and meaning.

Lily OkamotoとYuri Davisonは、日本人女性として海外に住んだ経験と、人権問題・メンタルヘルスへの共通の情熱を通じて深いつながりを共有する、2人の新興アーティストです。

私たちはオンラインを通して出会ってから数年間、人権、フェミニズム、芸術についてたくさんの対話をし友情を築いてきました。様々な環境で経験を積んできた2人が今、アートを基盤に、それぞれ呼吸をするように、周囲の世界を探索している様子をアートに投影しています。

私たちは光と影、希望と絶望の調和の取れた作品を制作することを目指しています。 私たちのアート展では美しく、そして意味のある空間を体験してもらえることと思います。

Lily Okamoto

Lily Okamoto's Breathing Exhibition with Yuri Davison

Lily's artwork in this exhibition reflects her current state of hibernation and solitude, as she patiently awaits the arrival of spring.

In a world that values productivity and achievement, Lily instead chooses to focus on the present moment, letting go of any grand visions or goals.

Through her art, she explores the simple act of breathing, finding beauty in the colors and textures that surround us.

Her paintings are a visual representation of her breath, a reminder to slow down and appreciate the small moments in life.

この個展のLilyのアートワークは、春の到来を辛抱強く待ちながら、「冬眠と孤独」といった製作過程の彼女の状態を反映しています。

生産性と達成を重視する世界で、Lily は代わりに現在の瞬間に集中することを選択し、壮大なビジョンや目標を手放します。

彼女は芸術を通じて、呼吸という単純な行為を探求し、私たちを取り囲む色と質感の美しさを見出しています。 彼女の絵は彼女の呼吸を視覚的に表現したものであり、人生の小さな瞬間をゆっくりと感謝することを思い出させてくれます。

このアート展では、あなたを静かで瞑想的な空間に招待することでしょう。そこで、あなたが深呼吸して現在の瞬間に安らぎを見つけることができますように。

BREATH

呼吸

何を追求すべきか分からないし、世界が脅威に感じる。結果ばかりを追い求める人生を手放し、瞑想をするかのようにただ呼吸に注意を払う。そうやって日々を過ごす。

Didn't know what to pursue anymore. The world seemed like a threat. Instead of focusing on the outcome, I paid attention to just breathing, as we do in meditation, to live day to day.

Lily Okamoto Breathing 2 Abstract Art

私の頭の中の批判は時々大きくなる、「お前は怠け者」「現実から逃げている」「避けている」。私は日記を書き、絵を描きこれらの声を静める。そして、常にその結果を評価するようなことはやめた。

The criticism in my head sometimes grew louder: "You are lazy," "You are escaping from reality," "You are avoiding." To quiet these voices, I journal, I paint. And I tried not to judge its outcome.

Lily Okamoto Breathing 3 Abstract Art

呼吸がこんなに難しくなったのはいつからか。いつから呼吸をすることに注意を払うのを忘れたのか。呼吸が浅いことに気付き、十分な空気を吸い込めないことがさらに私を不安にさせる。それは私の身体と心からのSOSだ。

When did breathing become so hard? When did I forget to pay attention to my breath? I notice how shallow my breaths are, and that made me more anxious about the fact that I can't even take in enough air. That was an SOS from my body and mind.

So, I breathe. I breathe to breathe.

だから、私は呼吸する。呼吸するために呼吸する

REALLY

本当?

Yang

Lily Okamoto - Yang - Breathing - abstract art

I am a being of duality, embodying both boldness and flexibility, bravery and serenity, masculinity and femininity.

My abstract paintings express fluidity through dynamic, powerful colors and a sense of motion as my brush flows across the canvas.

However, reality is never simple. There may be a hidden energy of yin within an artwork that appears to embody yang.

A painting created at night may seem to be created during the day, and one that appears to be bathed in light may hold within it the darkness of night.

It is through acknowledging this duality that we can find true harmony.

勇敢と柔軟さ、大胆さと静けさ、男性性と女性性、私は二元性を持つ者。私の抽象画は、色彩が力強くかつダイナミックであり、かつ筆先が紙面に流れるような運動感は流動性を表現する。

しかし、現実は常に単純ではありません。目で捉えると陽を感じるかもしれない表現の陰のエネルギーが存在します。

昼に描かれたかと思う絵は夜に、光の中で描かれたかのような絵は闇の中で - 二元性を認めることによって、私たちは真の調和を見出しているのかもしれません。

Faith

My faith, not rooted in religion but in spirituality, was once a distant concept. I knew the word, yet its meaning eluded me, remaining undigested and undefined within my soul.

For years, I yearned to find my faith, whispering to myself, "I want to have faith in myself." Now, that desire has transformed into certainty, as I proclaim, "I have faith in myself."

I unearthed my faith through the art of "doing the undoing," engaging in activities that rejuvenate me, even if they felt almost like doing nothing.

This revelation was the answer my heart had been seeking.

私にとってFaith という言葉は宗教に根ざすものではなく、スピリチュアルなもの。長い間、その言葉は何処か遠く、奥底にあるようで自分には持てないものだと感じていた。 ある時から、『自分自身にFaithを持ちたい』とつぶやくようになっていたように思うが、何年か経った今、『自分にFaithを持っている』に形を変えていた。

私は「何もやらないをする」と「何もしていない」かのように思えることを通して自己を活性化させていたようで、この単純で他者から見れば一見堕落な行いが私が探していた答えを啓示した。

Rejuvenation

I chose to follow only the desires of my soul. Yet, I felt as though I had lost all connection to it. “What was it that I truly wanted?” “Why did I do the things I did? “ , “Where had my soul gone? “

It was as if it had detached itself, and had no will to move forward. I became hypersensitive to what I allowed into my life,

Refusing to repeat past patterns of saying yes to things out of insecurities and fear. I yearned for a faith that assured me it was alright to say “Yes” to only what my soul desired.

I began to reflect upon what my inner child would enjoy. I painted, danced, and sang - I sang with all my might. I ventured back to the dance studio I had left behind so many years ago, and joined the teens. There, amidst the music and the movement,

I felt as if the juice of a ripe fruit was coursing through my entire being, rejuvenating both my body and my mind - and finally, I found it once more.

魂の望むことだけをすると決めた。なのに魂がどこかにいってしまったようで、私が何を望んでいるのか、何のために行動しているのかわからなかった。魂が何も要らないと言っているようにも感じた。

「Yes」と言うことに対して過敏になった。不安や恐れのせいで魂が望んでないのに「Yes 」と言ってしまうパターンをもう繰り返したくなかった。魂が求めるものだけに「Yes」と言っても良いんだというFaith(確信)を強く探していた。

私の内なる子供が楽しむであろうことを考え、私は自分丸出しの大胆な絵を描き、踊り、歌い、大きな声を出した。昔離れてしまったダンススタジオにも戻り、小中高生たちに混ざり共に踊った。

私はその日自分の体から果汁のようなジュースで溢れ活性化されたことを強く感じ、私の魂を見つけることができたのです。

Spirit Animals

In the artwork "Spirit Animal," the artist captures a mysterious encounter with a captivating creature that exudes an aura of fluidity and purification.

Through an intuitive artistic process, the spirit animal emerges organically, as if it has manifested itself onto the canvas.

The artwork invites viewers to embark on a personal journey of interpretation, exploring their own connections to the spiritual realm and the transformative power of purification.

With its ethereal presence, the spirit animal whispers messages of reassurance and embraces viewers with a sense of peace and renewal.

作品「Spirit Animal」では、流動的で清らかなオーラを放つ魅惑的な生き物との神秘的な出会いを表現しています。

直感的な芸術的プロセスを経て、霊獣はまるでキャンバスに姿を現したかのように有機的に浮かび上がっています。

この作品は、見る人を解釈の旅に誘い、スピリチュアルな領域とのつながりや浄化の力を探求します。

霊獣は、その幽玄な存在感で、安心のメッセージをささやき、見る人を平和と再生の感覚に包み込みます。

FOR YOU TO BREATH

Breath, Breath, Breath… it is a reminder to slow down and take a moment to breath. Close your eyes, inhale the word “Breath”

The piece was created during the "Breathing" exhibition and has resonated with many visitors who struggle with breathing. Using acrylic painting and color pencil, the artwork exudes vibrancy and warmth, with a subtle touch of silver-washed glitter in the background.

Thank you for taking a journey through my photos and stories. I hope you've enjoyed this visual exploration. Feel free to connect with me through my website, email, or Instagram to share your thoughts or explore more of my work.

Keep exploring, keep creating, and keep in touch

With gratitude, Lily Okamoto

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