We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Seiko Kamosawa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Seiko below.

Seiko, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Since I was a child, I’ve had dreams where I envision designs and images that I’ve never seen in reality; I have always wanted to express these designs in the real world. I cherished art class in elementary school. In class, I created sculptures of imaginary fruits representing each season, in other classes, I learned interesting things like making Japanese paper and woodblock printing. Sometimes, I stayed up late to finish my art class projects. I also found it challenging to express what I imagined exactly as I imagined it, and I would sometimes feel disappointed with my lack of skills.

During my university application process in Japan, I was torn between majoring in art or language because I loved both. Since going to an art university in Japan required a lot of money and time, I chose to major in language and cultural studies – specializing in Hindi and South Asian Studies. Another reason for this decision was that my mother, who struggled to earn a living as an artist, encouraged me to attend a language university. At that time, I didn’t have the confidence to pursue a career as a professional artist myself. It wasn’t until I was studying abroad in India for one year to improve my Hindi language skills, which was my major in college, that I reconsidered becoming an artist. While studying in Delhi, I visited art museums and galleries to research contemporary Indian art, and I also traveled to a village to see textile workshops using block printing. India was filled with lots of decorations, colorful clothes, and vibrant illustrations of gods, and living there made me strongly desire to create art pieces myself. After earning my first degree in Hindi and South Asian Studies in Japan, I went back to India to study BFA and MFA in an art college.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born in Tokyo and grew up in Yokohama, a cultural port city of Japan. Previously, I earned my degree in Hindi language and Cultural Studies of South Asia. My practice is influenced by the cultures, spiritualism, and art traditions of both Japan and India. The figures I create in my work represent my persona; Together, these figures and I conduct healing rituals through various media, including painting, sculpture, installation, and performance. These healing rituals often incorporate my reflections on life experiences, psychological analysis, childhood memories, as well as my fascination with nature and the universe. I completed my MFA at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. I lived in India for 7 years before moving to the US, and currently, I reside in Brooklyn, New York.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to freely express the world of imagination. It’s about being able to imagine and visualize things that don’t exist in the visible world, such as the realms of consciousness or the unconscious, mysterious phenomena, etc., in one’s own way. It’s also about visualizing things learned or realized in my life. Creating artwork can sometimes heal my mind and body. When creating art, I feel like I’m fulfilling my life mission and truly living my life to the fullest. By constantly challenging myself with various techniques, expressions, and different mediums perfecting my craft radiates joy into my soul.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I feel that I’ve been influenced by different books, but if I had to choose one that I’m currently following, it would be “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown. Nowadays, with the internet and social media adding to the tangible world, life can feel overwhelming. Living in New York, where attending art events is frequent, I’ve found myself bombarded with information, causing days to pass quickly. This book offers clear methods for determining what’s truly important in life and instilling discipline. I was surprised by the author’s emphasis on spending time with family over networking events. It made me realize the need to clarify what truly matters and consciously manage my time. In Japan, minimalism and decluttering have been popular for years, and I found that this book resonates with those ideas, as it focuses on organizing life and thoughts by prioritizing essentials.

Contact Info:

• Website: seikokamosawa.com
• Instagram: seikokamosawa
• Facebook: Seiko Kamosawa
• Other: Vimeo: Seiko Kamosawa

Image Credits
Jay Muhlin, Brice Goldberg