ADF Art Gallery Project Vol.52 | Ayumi Okita Solo Exhibition “The Tides Stir the Clouds Again”

ADF (NPO Aoyama Design Forum) is pleased to present "The Tides Stir the Clouds Again," a solo exhibition by artist Ayumi Okita, who creates paintings using lacquer as her medium. The exhibition will be held at GARDE Gallery in Omotesando, Tokyo, from November 20 to December 2, 2026, as the 52nd edition of the ADF Art Gallery Project. An opening reception will take place on November 20 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend. Okita explores the cycles and transformations of the natural world, using lacquer as a medium to express the invisible presence of the atmosphere and the processes of nature. Lacquer is a natural resin secreted by the lacquer tree to heal its wounds. Its drying process and coloration are influenced by temperature and humidity. Embracing these unpredictable responses of the material, Okita approaches the repeated processes of painting, sanding, and polishing as a form of “collaboration” with nature. Having previously focused on forests and plants, Okita expanded their interest toward the sea following visits to a pearl farm in Mie Prefecture. The similarities between pearls and lacquer, both originating from wounds, as well as the interconnected relationship between rainfall, rivers, and marine ecosystems, became sources of inspiration for new works. In this exhibition, *The Tides Stir the Clouds Once More*, Okita presents new works exploring the sea, sky, and weather alongside earlier works depicting forests and plants. Tracing the water cycle from clouds to rain, forests, rivers, and ultimately the sea, the exhibition reflects on the relationships between nature and humanity, materials and the environment. Over time, lacquer gradually becomes more translucent, revealing increasingly vibrant colors. Within its layered surfaces, traces of the atmospheric conditions present during the creative process remain embedded. Through the distinctive colors and luster of lacquer, Okita's works bring to light the ever-changing nature of the world.