Through her paintings, Aya Uekawa explores the psychological dichotomies of strength and fragility, and the balancing of inner and outer self as a woman. In a conventional portraiture format, she paints solitary non-specific female figures within abstract or representational surroundings. These opposing languages in her paintings express psychological perspectives, and reveal the tenuous connections that compose unique identity.

Uekawa grew up and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Japan, and she moved to America to pursue studies in contemporary art.  While pursuing her degrees in art in NYC, she began to explore her experiences within Japan’s socialist structure;  a society oppressed by conformity and strict cultural customs.  In contrast, individual identity in America allowed for much more expressive freedom.  The contrast between the two cultures gave Uekawa the inspiration to develop her own visual language around these issues, and a space to study and reflect on the cultural oppression of women throughout history.

In her paintings, the figures are placed in the center for the focus, and have very subtle expressions that can be translated by the viewer’s imagination. The figure could be enduring her suffering in the environment she is in, or feeling somewhat comfortable. The environments surrounding the figures are composed of symbols and metaphors regarding the psychological situation they are in. These elements are taken from common images such as flowers, and birds, and appear amidst uncanny two-dimensional environments and geometric abstractions.

Uekawa’s practice to apply highly detailed, repetitive brushstrokes echoes Japan’s socialist lessons of ‘fitting in’ to the group. At the same time, the slow and repetitive movement of brushstrokes is a meditative practice, and gives Uekawa a space to reflect on her journey to the inner self. Her obsessive detailed work also reflects the traditional feminine practice of crafting and sewing, which her mother taught her in her early childhood. This early education of small motor skills became the foundation of her visual language.

Uekawa’s paintings draw on both personal experience, as well as researched historic female figures who were censored and oppressed.  Her works give a voice to these women, and reimagine the ambivalent state between psychological repression, and freedom of oneself.  Uekawa’s work not only renders her own journey, but also expresses a universal feminine perspective and aesthetic that is at once vulnerable, elegant, and triumphant. Her work invites the viewer to explore their inner self and shared experiences.