Gallery 38 is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of Hinako Miyabayashi, “Letter-tails Lost in Soil” starting from 19th January.

Born in Hokkaido in 1997, Miyabayashi graduated from Tama Art University and enrolled in the graduate program at Tokyo University of the Arts. In the same year, she transferred to the Visual Arts Department of Berlin University of the Arts. After obtaining her Meisterschüler* in 2023, she is now in master's degree at Tokyo University of the Arts. Miyabayashi gained attention for her exceptional skill while still an undergraduate and has steadily evolved her work through subsequent studies in Germany.
*Meisterschüler: The highest academic degree in German art universities.

Miyabayashi, primarily focused on oil painting, expresses a consistent viewpoint while using various mediums, such as collages. By creating drawings on a daily basis, almost like a diary, she examines her relationship with "drawing" and herself. She breaks free from the arrogance inherent in the relationship between "drawing" and "being drawn," gradually moving her mind to different places, away from inertia. Rather than confronting or dominating the materials, she interweaves what shes receive from the materials into her own expression. This flexibility and humbleness in embracing the world view are transformed into a quiet yet powerful image.

Miyabayashi expresses a desire to "paint the wind," which can be seen as representing fleeting moments. She captures the scenes and sensations of the faint moments perceived by her own perception, taking them in like the palm of her hand and expressing those feelings on a flat surface.
Through three winters in Berlin, with its gray skies and moderate humidity, the layers and membranes of that air have undoubtedly influenced the tone of her expression. She has sharpened her ability to focus on "what can be seen here and now," and have acquired the power to create paintings that are quiet yet eloquent, while using fewer colors and strokes.

This solo exhibition at Gallery 38, where presenting her works in group exhibitions since her student days, marks a significant milestone. All the works in this exhibition have been newly created after returning from Germany specifically for this event. Simultaneously, an exhibition at the Opera City Art Gallery, Project N93 is held. We invite you to view new works of Miyabayashi in both exhibitions.