2019　Aya Kawato Solo Exhibition | (Geneva, Switzerland)

My work explores the theme of “Control and Imperfection,” focusing on the uncertainty of perception and the possibilities of visual art. Through my training in traditional Japanese textiles in Kyoto, I learned that the minute deviations that inevitably arise from countless layers of manual processes hold a beauty beyond human intention. Fascinated by neuroscience since childhood, I was acutely aware that what we see is a reconstruction by the brain based on retinal images—where perception and reality often diverge, as in optical illusions.

My practice seeks to reframe these two phenomena—the deviations inherent in material processes and those that occur in perception—as parallel structures. By layering acrylic paint over a grid structure, I create subtle distortions of line and fluctuations in color that generate gentle optical effects. These works not only make viewers physically aware of the instability of vision but also invite them to imagine the existence of other perspectives. Through this painterly practice, I aim to visualize the fact that there is no single way of seeing the world, offering a poetic reflection on the diversity of human perception.